Phuket urged to prepare for “Korean wave’

PHUKET: As the Andaman Travel Trade 2011 expo continues today at Phuket Rajabhat University, Korean honorary consul Tossaporn Thepabutr has warned local officials to prepare for a huge influx of Korean tourism operators coming to set up shop in Phuket.

“More Korean company owners are looking at moving their operations to Phuket because of the floods in Bangkok. Phuket is considered much safer,” he said.

“Many Korean businesses will join Thai operators to form partnerships,” he added.

Mr Tossaporn said that the number of Korean families moving to Phuket to live and work was continually increasing.

“They have to find schools for their children, among other things. So I would like government officers to work with private organizations to help make Phuket more convenient and safer for these new arrivals,” he said.

Mr Tossaporn added that Thai Airways is currently operating direct flights between Phuket and South Korea and that Bangkok Airways will launch direct Phuket-Korea flights in the new year.

“The other three Korean airlines will also launch direct flights from Korea [to Phuket] at about the beginning of next year,” he added.

— Atchaa Khamlo