RESORTS are offering special rates as a large Phuket concert and rally for the People's Alliance for Democracy becomes an unexpected tourist attraction.

The event, scheduled for Saphan Hin public park in Phuket City from 5pm to midnight on April 18, is expected to draw an audience of between 10,000 and 20,000 people.

The all-ticket gathering is being promoted all over Thailand, with busloads of PAD supporters expected to join and take advantage of discounts being offered by resorts and restaurants.

Hotels offering special rates include the Sinthavee Hotel and the Royal Phuket City Hotel in Phang Nga Road, Phuket City, the Siri Hotel in Yaowarat Road, the Pearl Hotel in Montri Road, Phuket City, Inn on the Beach at Karon, and others.

Restaurants giving discounts to PAD supporters include Maeporn Seafood in Sam Kong, Kopi de Phuket and Wangpla Restaurant in Phuket Road.

Souvenir shops are also hoping to cash in on the unexpected windfall.

About 9500 tickets at 200 baht each are now on sale around Phuket at supportive restaurants and businesses.

''First generation'' and ''second generation'' PAD leaders are expected to draw a large crowd.

Among those who have said they will be coming are Sondhi Limthongkul, Anchalee Paireerak, Saranyu Wongkrajang and Major General Jamlong Srimuang.

Only details remain to be finalised for the concert and rally, organiser and PAD local coordinator, Arparat Chatchutikumjorn told Phuketwan.

Food and drink stalls are now being assigned to vendors.

The event will be the sixth in a series of PAD rallies around Thailand since February. The PAD's own security arm of about 200 will control the event.

Roads around the park are likely to be closed from April 17.

The PAD retains strong support on Phuket, which has always been a bastion of the Democrat Party, despite the blockades at Phuket and Bangkok airports that badly damaged international tourism to Thailand last year.