PHUKET: Chinese tourists visiting Phuket are likely to increase from one million to two million a year very quickly, the new Chinese consul for Phuket, Wang Huijuan, told Governor Maitree Intrusud yesterday.
Presently the Deputy Consul in Bangkok, Ms Wang will move to Phuket as soon as a property for the Chinese Consulate has been finalised.
She said that Chinese were likely to turn away from Malaysia - presumably because of the loss of flight MH370 with many Chinese on board - and Phuket seemed a logical alternative.
About one million of the 10.7 million visitors from China to Thailand already came to Phuket, she said.
As the number of tourists increased so did the number of problems, hence the need for a Phuket consulate, she said.
Governor Maitree said he had strong concerns about the safety of tourists at sea, especially during the monsoon season.
''Tourists should follow the advice from lifeguards,'' he said, perhaps forgetting that there are none on Phuket's beaches right now because of a contractual dispute.
He added that agencies should be prepared to adapt and change the scheduling of snorkelling day trips if monsoon weather made the sea too dangerous.
''There are plenty of other land-based activities on Phuket so a change of days should be possible,'' he said. ''There is no need to take risks.''
Ms Wang said she would pass on the governor's message to tour agencies.
Presently the Deputy Consul in Bangkok, Ms Wang will move to Phuket as soon as a property for the Chinese Consulate has been finalised.
She said that Chinese were likely to turn away from Malaysia - presumably because of the loss of flight MH370 with many Chinese on board - and Phuket seemed a logical alternative.
About one million of the 10.7 million visitors from China to Thailand already came to Phuket, she said.
As the number of tourists increased so did the number of problems, hence the need for a Phuket consulate, she said.
Governor Maitree said he had strong concerns about the safety of tourists at sea, especially during the monsoon season.
''Tourists should follow the advice from lifeguards,'' he said, perhaps forgetting that there are none on Phuket's beaches right now because of a contractual dispute.
He added that agencies should be prepared to adapt and change the scheduling of snorkelling day trips if monsoon weather made the sea too dangerous.
''There are plenty of other land-based activities on Phuket so a change of days should be possible,'' he said. ''There is no need to take risks.''
Ms Wang said she would pass on the governor's message to tour agencies.
