Vdo: Phuket Remains Calm And Safe;

[NBT TV Phuket]

items 1 & 2 on VDO at http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/prev...hp?news_id=1333

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Phuket remains a calm and safe destination for tourists with many international events scheduled to take place

Despite disruption and destruction in the capital city of Bangkok and some regional provinces in the north and north-eastern part of the country, Phuket and the Andaman provinces in southern Thailand remain calm and safe. Residents and tourists are carrying out their daily life as normal. Phuket Governor Wichai Praisa-Ngob, as usual, spends time out of the office, meeting and listening to local government leaders' and residents' needs and suggestions, most of the time at local coffee shops. The governor sees the sessions as good opportunities to meet the members of the public in a casual manner. During this week’s morning coffee meeting at a local shop in a tourist area of Karon the governor led related head officials to meet and listen to community leaders and residents plus businesses needs, concerns and suggestions. Apart from local issues, the governor was assured of Karon Municipality’s capability and preparedness to host many tourism events, domestic and international, including the Phuket Live Jazz on the Beach on Saturday May 22nd during 6 pm to midnight, while Karon stadium will also be one of the host venues for the World Senior Soccer tournament which is confirmed to be participated in by eight international teams. The event will take place during May 31st and June 5th.

Tourism in Phuket is quiet due to the low season, even though some who were deterred by Bangkok's chaos said they enjoy the calm and friendly environment in Phuket.

Being situated far away from the capital city of Bangkok, Phuket city is presently very quiet, while a beach hotel operator admitted that the occupancy rate is low due to the off peak season and the impact from the demonstrations. Local businesses in the city said they can see the sharp decline in tourists who normally walk around to appreciate the town area. We however met and talked to some tourists we found to ask about their views and impressions on the destination and some about the situation in Bangkok. This Australian couple, who are fans of Thailand as they have been visited the country 19 times and each time include Phuket in their destination, expressed their regret to see turmoil in the capital city and said it’s a shame as the disruption damages the economy. *** voice *** Meanwhile these Portuguese honeymooners said they included Thailand in one of their honeymoon destinations in Asia but had to deter from Bangkok. They kept Phuket in their itinerary and the couple admitted that being in the country itself, especially Phuket, is different from the international news coverage as the south of Thailand is very quiet and safe. **** voice *** Another couple from Canada, who we caught up with walking around in the city, said they had long been wanting to travel to Thailand, especially places like Chinag Mai in the North. But the unrest diverted their travel route, and they put Phi Phi and Phuket in their itinerary. They said they learnt that this part of the country is calm and safe unlike what their family saw back home. * voice***

weekly Andaman News NBT TV (VHF dial) at 8.30am broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces & repeated on satellite C Band (usually net black) frequency 4134 Mhz at symbolate 2530 at 1pm, Friday 21st May 2010 & http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/ & www.YouTube.com/AndamanNews

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