Phuket hotels offer “great escape’ deals for Bangkok flood evacuees

PHUKET: At least seven Phuket hotels and resorts have signed up for the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) campaign, offering discounted room rates to Bangkok flood evacuees.

Bangornrat Shinaprayoon, director of the TAT office in Phuket, said Phuket was one destination that many people from Bangkok were fleeing to.

“Many are staying in hotels in Phuket Town or returning to stay with their relatives,” she said.

“Hotels in Phuket can still join the campaign. All they need to do is register what discounted room rates they are offering with the TAT,” explained Ms Bangornrat. (See below for details of participating hotels in Phuket.)

However, Panu Maswongsa, a vice president at the Phuket Tourism Association (PTA), told the Phuket Gazette that he did not expect many of the tens of thousands of people who have been forced to flee their homes to take advantage of the Phuket hotel offers.

“Any Phuket people fleeing Bangkok will be staying with relatives here. Non-Phuket people seem to be staying in hotels in Phuket Town.

“Phuket is not attractive for people fleeing Bangkok as Phuket has few houses available for rental periods of one to two months. Most houses that are for rent here are available for six months to a year,” he said.

Mr Panu added that another disadvantage was that many Phuket hotels and restaurants had already raised their menu prices for the coming tourism high season, making it expensive for Bangkok evacuees to dine out.

PTA Vice President for Strategy Bhummikitti Ruktaengam agreed.

Not many people fleeing the Bangkok floods were in Phuket, he said.

The guests Phuket hotels do have are mainly Koreans and Australians staying in the popular beach areas.

“As November passes and we enter the high season, accommodation prices will rise and more direct flights will be arriving from abroad.

“The floods have nothing to do with these foreigners’ decisions to come to Phuket,” he said.

Hotels offering discounted room rates for flood evacuees:

Chandara Resort in Pa Khlok, Thalang. Studio Pool Villa: 3,500 baht per night (was 8,000 baht/night) from November 1-20. For each night’s stay, 500 baht to go to flood relief. Tel: 076-317800, 081-6860216. Web: Chandara-Resort.com

Sino Inn Phuket Hotel on Mae Luan Road, Phuket Town. Standard room: 700 baht/night (was 1,000 baht/night). Superior room: 800 baht/night (was 1,200 baht/night). Offer valid until March 31. Tel: 076-234423. Web: SinoInnPhuket.com

All Seasons Naiharn Phuket. Standard room: 1,150 baht/night. Superior room: 1,750 baht (about 60% off). Offer valid until November 15. Must book seven days in advance. Tel: 076-289327 ext 33. Web: AllSeasons-NaiHarn-phuket.com

Daeng Plaza on Phuket Road, Phuket Town. Room: 500 baht (600 baht); with breakfast 640 baht (was 690 baht). Must show government ID card or “company workers ID cards”. Offer not for New Year, Chinese New Year and Vegetarian Festival. Tel: 076-216428, 076-216752. Web: DaengPlazaPhuket.com

Rawai Palm Beach Resort on Viset Road, Rawai. Superior Pool View: 1,800 baht (50% off); Deluxe Pool View: 2,000 baht. Deluxe Family (4Pax): 3,000 baht. Deluxe Pool Access: 3,500 baht. Offer valid November 15 to December 20. Tel: 076-384650-60. Web: RawaiPalmBeachResort.com

Woraburi Phuket Resort and Spa on Patak Road, Karon Beach. 15% off room rates shown on their website. Offer valid until December 25. Tel: 076-363050. Web: Woraburi.com

Pearl Hotel on Montri Road in Phuket Town. 50% off all room rates, but does not include breakfast. Tel: 076-211044. Web: PearlHotel.co.th

— A Khamlo & W Temram