Phuket denies rumours of airport closure

PHUKET: -- The governor of Thailand's southern resort province of Phuket, Udomsak Assawarangkura, today hotly denied rumours that the island's international airport was about to face a temporary shut-down, accusing the people who started the reports of trying to destroy the island province.

Confirming that the province had no plans to close its airport, the provincial governor said that the reports had sparked a wave of questions from foreign and domestic companies alike.

He warned that if the rumours were left to fester, the impact on the province's tourism industry could be devastating.

The provincial governor's words were backed by Mr. Chan Jiemcharoen, the Deputy Director of the Phuket International Airport, who said that maintenance work on the airport would not necessitate its closure.

--TNA 2004-12-02

If true, it would certainly put a spanner in the works for all Southern travel, not just in and out of Phuket. You've got excellent boat links to Phi Phi, which in turn gives access to Krabi, Trang....

Mmmm, has this story got any legs George...???

Phuket denies rumours of airport closure

PHUKET: --  The governor of Thailand's southern resort province of Phuket, Udomsak Assawarangkura, today hotly denied rumours that the island's international airport was about to face a temporary shut-down, accusing the people who started the reports of trying to destroy the island province.

Confirming that the province had no plans to close its airport, the provincial governor said that the reports had sparked a wave of questions from foreign and domestic companies alike.

He warned that if the rumours were left to fester, the impact on the province's tourism industry could be devastating.

The provincial governor's words were backed by Mr. Chan Jiemcharoen, the Deputy Director of the Phuket International Airport, who said that maintenance work on the airport would not necessitate its closure.

--TNA 2004-12-02

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It won't happen.

Why should it

Well mayb ethey will close it....when they bring in 9pm closing at the pubs !!

There could be gunfire between the army and militants insode the airport, and the Governor would be standing in the airport - or on a phone a distance away, telling the airlines that everything is just fine and that the planes should continue to land as planned.... with a grin on his face.

The rebels could hit the road leaving the airport causing tremendous problems. The road has a lot less security than the airport. So far, these rebels have not been hitting big spots, but rather well guarded spots.

I am thankful for that.