PHANG NGA'S new governor says the province needs an airport of its own as a priority but better roads come first for now.
Yiamsuriya Palusuk, like his Phuket counterpart new to a tourism province, met the holder of the Mrs Germany 2009 title at the tourism crisis summit yesterday.
The summit was held in Khao Lak because that's a midway meeting spot, convenient for people travelling from Phuket and Krabi.
Mrs Germany 2009, Elischeba Wilde, was on her second visit to Phuket and the region. She plans on being a good ambassador for the Andaman when she returns to Germany.
Governor Yiamsuriya, who transferred from his role as vice-governor in the Isarn province of Nongpualamphu, arrived in Phang Nga just four weeks before the airports blockade.
He told the summit of about 50 tourism industry leaders and resorts owners that the 2004 tsunami was an uppercut to the Andaman.
The Phuket Airport closure in August was a knee to the stomach.
The Andaman got back on its feet, only to be kicked in the head by the PAD Bangkok airport protest, he said.
''It was a knockout blow,'' he said.
Governor Yiamsuriya, 58, said that he would guarantee that no Phang Nga resort would be closed by a bank because of outstanding debts. His comments brought a round of applause.
He said he would help resorts through the crisis in any way he could.
While he would like to see Phang Nga get its own airport, at the site of an old airfield on Koh Kor Khao, a better road from Phuket to Khao Lak was the main aim for now.
The problem of the Rohingya, oppressed Burmese Muslims who come south by boat for sanctuary, had yet to reappear this dry season, he said.
Talks had been held with local authorities, including police and the Thai Navy, to deal with boatloads that may arrive.
Phang Nga resorts are doing quite well this high season, with many tour operators in Germany and Scandinavia choosing it as a destination to promote.
Another casualty of the airports blockade, though, has been the spectacular Rixos Premium. Due to open on December 16, the large resort and spa under the innovative five-star Turkish brand has postponed its launch until next year.
Yiamsuriya Palusuk, like his Phuket counterpart new to a tourism province, met the holder of the Mrs Germany 2009 title at the tourism crisis summit yesterday.
The summit was held in Khao Lak because that's a midway meeting spot, convenient for people travelling from Phuket and Krabi.
Mrs Germany 2009, Elischeba Wilde, was on her second visit to Phuket and the region. She plans on being a good ambassador for the Andaman when she returns to Germany.
Governor Yiamsuriya, who transferred from his role as vice-governor in the Isarn province of Nongpualamphu, arrived in Phang Nga just four weeks before the airports blockade.
He told the summit of about 50 tourism industry leaders and resorts owners that the 2004 tsunami was an uppercut to the Andaman.
The Phuket Airport closure in August was a knee to the stomach.
The Andaman got back on its feet, only to be kicked in the head by the PAD Bangkok airport protest, he said.
''It was a knockout blow,'' he said.
Governor Yiamsuriya, 58, said that he would guarantee that no Phang Nga resort would be closed by a bank because of outstanding debts. His comments brought a round of applause.
He said he would help resorts through the crisis in any way he could.
While he would like to see Phang Nga get its own airport, at the site of an old airfield on Koh Kor Khao, a better road from Phuket to Khao Lak was the main aim for now.
The problem of the Rohingya, oppressed Burmese Muslims who come south by boat for sanctuary, had yet to reappear this dry season, he said.
Talks had been held with local authorities, including police and the Thai Navy, to deal with boatloads that may arrive.
Phang Nga resorts are doing quite well this high season, with many tour operators in Germany and Scandinavia choosing it as a destination to promote.
Another casualty of the airports blockade, though, has been the spectacular Rixos Premium. Due to open on December 16, the large resort and spa under the innovative five-star Turkish brand has postponed its launch until next year.
