PM calls for long-term plans to revitalise Phuket and Koh Samui

PM Prayut Chan-o-cha is calling for long-term plans to rehabilitate Thailand’s tourist destinations following his visit to Koh Samui and Phuket where he saw first hand how the Covid-19 pandemic affected both islands.

Prayut says conditions at Phuket are much more drastic as the province heavily relies on international travel. The prime minister says Phuket generates the second-highest income from the tourism industry, just under Bangkok. Prayut says authorities need to rebuild the tourism sector at major destinations like Phuket.

“When I arrived in Koh Samui and Phuket and saw the conditions of both cities, I realized that conditions in Phuket were more drastic because the province had only relied on tourism. So, we have to figure out how to make the situation in Phuket better and we will look forward to gathering information in order to find a proper solution for all parties.”

Phuket officials have been working for months, trying to figure out how to revive the crippled economy and draw in visitors to keep what’s left of the tourism industry alive. Phuket has proposed wellness tourism projects, provincial infrastructure developments and extension of the program “We Travel Together.”

The province is also gearing up for international travellers. Emirates Airlines and Qatar Airways will start offering flights to Phuket. An Emirates flight that originated from Dubai landed in Phuket today. While the flight wasn’t carrying passengers, it was the first international arrival since the Covid-19 lockdown was put in place 7 months ago.

SOURCE: Pattaya News

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