Phuket Rolls On Into 'Doomsday Saturday'

[webfact]

Phuket rolls on into 'Doomsday Saturday'

Phuket Gazette

Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha and his wife Nalinee welcome the first passengers to arrive at Phuket Airport this morning. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

THE END IS NOT SO NIGH: Police report normal traffic conditions at Phuket's link to the mainland. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

PHUKET: -- The mass exodus from Phuket predicated by some failed to materialize today as police at the Tah Chat Chai checkpoint reported normal Saturday morning traffic on Srisoonthorn Bridge, which links outbound traffic to the mainland.

Meanwhile, as part of the Provincial government’s efforts to boost confidence that today will not be a one of calamity, as rumors have predicted, a host of high-profile officials were at Phuket International Airport this morning to welcome the first inbound flight of the day.

Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha, Government Spokesman and Pheu Thai senior party member Prompong Nopparit, Phuket MP Raywat Areerob and other local government officials met and welcomed 385 passengers arriving from Bangkok aboard the Thai Airways Boeing 747.

Officials wearing their best similes handed out garlands of flowers and gift key rings to the slightly surprised arriving passengers.

Speaking at the airport, Governor Tri explained that he had been told by Suwit Kosuwan, chief of the Mineral Resources Department’s Active Fault Research Division, that for Phuket to disappear into the sea would require an earthquake measuring 20 on the Richter scale to strike the center of Phuket.

Gov Tri went on to explain that Mr Suwit said that the worst that could ever possibly occur is a 9.0 Richter earthquake.

“People should not panic because of one rumor,” he said.

“People who love Phuket should be confident today and ignore rumors of Phuket sinking into the sea,” he added.

Airport Director Prathuang Sornkham, who arrived with the flight from Bangkok, said, “Yesterday, compared with April 27 last year, shows a passenger increase of 10.3 per cent. All flights are full. Certainly none of the 18,000 Chinese from Amway canceled.”

“This proves that people still have confidence in our safety measures and they are not listening to rumors,” he added.

Source: http://www.phuketgaz...ticle12887.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2012-04-28

[Khruumaiyai]

Another #AmazingThailand story. Although, personally, I thought the one about the Bhumibhol Dam breaking on New Year's Eve was more believable than this one. Particularly funny that the Phuket Governor vowed to 'resign' if Phuket did sink into the sea today. You've got to like a politician of that quality.

[bangkokgabe]

What?

[olsen]

He he, yeah this is amazing. And this funny cartoon explains it very clearly :-) I just love it

[samsiam]

Funny how he was waiting at the airport but ??