PHUKET: The number of visitors coming from China to Phuket for Amway in April and May has risen to 16,000, a planning meeting heard today.
Between 600 and 700 Amway visitors are expected each day on Phuket between April 15 and May 14.
The annual Amway reward and incentive gathering usually takes place in one of the world's most appealing cities. Phuket is the first resort island to win the honor.
Huge spinoff benefits are anticipated for Phuket, with other companies in China already considering following Amway's lead.
Coping with the huge daily influx is expected to test the resorts involved at Laguna Phuket on Bang Tao beach, and the island's infrastructure, especially Phuket International Airport.
Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha has been asked to make processing Immigration and Customs for the daily stream of Amway guests as smooth as possible.
Special provision is likely to be made to prevent the kinds of delays that have been coming more frequently at the airport in peak periods.
About 400 VIPs are to be accommodated at the Banyan Tree resort while hundreds of others will be dispersed among the newly-opened Angsana, the Dusit Thani, the Laguna Beach Resort, the Laguna Holiday Club and the Best Western Allamanda.
Trips from Phuket to Phi Phi and other islands, cruises on Phang Nga Bay and the shuttle bus to Old Phuket Town are expected to be popular during the five-day stay each group will enjoy.
A Chinese Theme Dinner will be a highlight, with a floating performance platform now in the design phase that will highlight next year's destination, Taiwan, in the same way that Phuket was highlighted during Amway's venture to Sydney last year.
The floating platform, with a dragon motif, is likely to move across a lagoon at Laguna as participants eat dinner.
Vice Governor Dr Sommai Preechasin, who chaired today's planning meeting at Provincial Hall in Phuket City, said she was delighted that Thailand's one village one product goods would be available and was sure that batik shirts would be extremely popular.
Between 600 and 700 Amway visitors are expected each day on Phuket between April 15 and May 14.
The annual Amway reward and incentive gathering usually takes place in one of the world's most appealing cities. Phuket is the first resort island to win the honor.
Huge spinoff benefits are anticipated for Phuket, with other companies in China already considering following Amway's lead.
Coping with the huge daily influx is expected to test the resorts involved at Laguna Phuket on Bang Tao beach, and the island's infrastructure, especially Phuket International Airport.
Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha has been asked to make processing Immigration and Customs for the daily stream of Amway guests as smooth as possible.
Special provision is likely to be made to prevent the kinds of delays that have been coming more frequently at the airport in peak periods.
About 400 VIPs are to be accommodated at the Banyan Tree resort while hundreds of others will be dispersed among the newly-opened Angsana, the Dusit Thani, the Laguna Beach Resort, the Laguna Holiday Club and the Best Western Allamanda.
Trips from Phuket to Phi Phi and other islands, cruises on Phang Nga Bay and the shuttle bus to Old Phuket Town are expected to be popular during the five-day stay each group will enjoy.
A Chinese Theme Dinner will be a highlight, with a floating performance platform now in the design phase that will highlight next year's destination, Taiwan, in the same way that Phuket was highlighted during Amway's venture to Sydney last year.
The floating platform, with a dragon motif, is likely to move across a lagoon at Laguna as participants eat dinner.
Vice Governor Dr Sommai Preechasin, who chaired today's planning meeting at Provincial Hall in Phuket City, said she was delighted that Thailand's one village one product goods would be available and was sure that batik shirts would be extremely popular.
