Phuket is proposed for sister city links with Bali Island of Indonesia.

The information was stated by Phuket Tourist Association President Pa-ta-na-pong Aek-vanit after he met and discussed the idea with Phuket Governor Udomsak Uswarangkura. He said the Phuket Governor is willing to establish sister cities ties for Phuket with Bali of Indonesia as they are both famous tourist resort destinations.

Voicing views from a tourism business aspect, Patanapong believes that the tie will bring more Indonesian tourists to Phuket. He pointed out that Indonesians are good shoppers and the travel between the two cities are convenient.

Phuket has established its sister city links with 6 cities in 5 countries so far including Port Blair of Indian Nicobar islands, Las Vegas of America, and Hai Naan of China.

Source: Andaman News TV11 Phuket City, broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, 10.05am Thursday 6 April 2006

Found this article from 2005.

What's going on?

Thailand's Phuket Island resort has turned down an offer to become a sister city with Indonesia's famed Bali resort, citing security concerns, news reports said Sunday.

"The request was turned down during a meeting on Friday between the Indonesian ambassador to Thailand and Phuket governor Udomsak Asavarangkura," said the state-run Thai News Agency.

Udomsak told the ambassador that while Phuket could become a sister city with other Indonesian cities, such as Medan, the Thai private sector was wary of sisterhood with Bali due to "frequent terrorist events on that island in the past."

Bali and Phuket are the two most popular beach resorts in Southeast Asia. When Bali's tourism suffers, Phuket tends to benefit, and vice versa, industry sources say.

Bali, Indonesia's prime beach resort, was targetted by Muslim extremists in October 2002, when a popular bar and disco were blown up killing 202 people, mostly foreign tourists.

Another bomb exploded at a seaside restaurant earlier this year, leaving scores dead and injured.

Nor has Phuket been spared from its own disasters. The Dec 26, 2004 tsunami hit the island and neighbouring provinces, claiming over 8,000 lives, half of them vacationing tourists.

Publish Date : 12/4/2005 11:25:00 AM Source : South Asia News Onlypunjab.com

Great idea link Phuket to Bali.

My thoughts exactly Brit