Poor turnout for Korean MOU signing
PHUKET CITY: After months of setbacks, debates and discussions, only 25 of the island’s 54 Korean tour operators signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) ensuring that they will hire Thai tour guides.
Kim Tae Woen, Chairman of the Korean Association, and Phuket Vice-Governor Worapoj Ratthasima welcomed representatives from 25 of the island’s Korean tour operators to Phuket Provincial Hall and thanked them for their participation in the signing, which was also attended by Phuket Governor Niran Kalayanamit.
“We would like to see good cooperation among us. I would appreciate if all parties would follow the MOU because we do not want any problems in the future as next year we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Korean and Thai Tourism,” said V/Gov Worapoj.
Promchote Traivate, of the Phuket Office of Sports and Recreation Development, read out the MOU, which was then translated by a Korean interpreter.
The MOU stated that Korean tour operators will hire Thai tour guides who pass a Korean-language competency test, to be held September 28 to 30. Those who pass the test will begin work within 15 days and there will be additional tests held every three months.
The first batch of test results will be released at Phuket Provincial Hall on October 8. Representatives from the Korean Association will be witnesses to the tests.
Korean tour operators who failed to attend today’s signing were urged to contact the Provincial Office and sign the MOU before September 21.
