Phuket economy, lifestyle under scrutiny

PHUKET: With tourism resilient and the local property and investment markets sullied by strong central government resistance to globalism, business people in Phuket find themselves at a crossroads. They wonder if the legendary Thai welcome accorded overseas tourists can continue to work its magic amid the walls against foreign land ownership. Will the walls fall? Or will they, along with the hurdles to other forms of overseas investment in Thailand, ultimately send the tourists packing?

These and other issues will be raised at what is likely to become a lively ‘town meeting’ this Friday (May 25) when the Nation Multimedia Group presents “Property & Tourism – The Drivers of the Phuket Economy”. The seminar, which is open to the general public, will be conducted in Thai with simultaneous translation into English (through headsets to be provided expatriate participants). Details of the government and private-sector panelists are available here.

Registration is at 1pm. The proceedings start at 1:30, and the floor will be open to Questions & Answers at 3:00. Entry is free of charge, but seating is limited and is in high demand. Bookings are recommended. To ensure a seat, contact Khun Jib at the Phuket Gazette as soon as possible. Seats will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. No seats will be held after 1:20pm.