Phuket tourism industry unfazed

PHUKET: The tourism industry in Phuket has not been affected by the red shirt protests in Bangkok, according to the vice president of the Phuket Tourist Association.

Mr Krisada Tansakul said the island-wide hotel occupancy rate is at about 65%.

“That’s good compared to the March rate last year,” he said. “Patong is faring especially well with a rate of 70%.”

Mr Krisada said tourists still feel safe traveling to Phuket as it is far from the demonstrations and can be reached directly by international flights.

Reservation rates for April and the upcoming Songkran holidays are at an acceptable 30%, he said.

“However, if the political situation escalates, it is likely to have a negative effect on Phuket’s tourism industry,” he added.

— Sitthipong Nongkaew