PHUKET: Flight TG 953 from Copenhagen landed at Phuket International Airport this afternoon to a welcome from hundreds of VIPs. It was Thai International's first direct flight from Europe to Phuket, a milestone for the approaching high season.
Judging from the traffic through Phuket airport, though, the high season is coming early as people who were planning a trip to Bangkok look for alternative flood-free destinations within Thailand.
A total of 336 passengers were on the flight, including senior officials from tourism in Denmark, media representatives and Thailand's Ambassador to Denmark, Piyawat Niyomrerks. Among those greeting the flight were Tourism Authority of Thailand Director Surapon Sewatasenee and Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha.
Flights by 747-400 will leave Phuket on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, supplementing the daily service from Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok.
Phuket is popular with Scandinavians. Of the 150,300 who visited Thailand last year, 92,518 went on to Phuket at some stage. Numbers were up 7.5 percent on the previous year.
The pioneer flight demonstrates the rapid growth in popularity of direct flights to Phuket, with Thai International now fully appreciating the strength of the island's appeal. Direct flights to Korea from Phuket are to follow.
Judging from the traffic through Phuket airport, though, the high season is coming early as people who were planning a trip to Bangkok look for alternative flood-free destinations within Thailand.
A total of 336 passengers were on the flight, including senior officials from tourism in Denmark, media representatives and Thailand's Ambassador to Denmark, Piyawat Niyomrerks. Among those greeting the flight were Tourism Authority of Thailand Director Surapon Sewatasenee and Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha.
Flights by 747-400 will leave Phuket on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, supplementing the daily service from Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok.
Phuket is popular with Scandinavians. Of the 150,300 who visited Thailand last year, 92,518 went on to Phuket at some stage. Numbers were up 7.5 percent on the previous year.
The pioneer flight demonstrates the rapid growth in popularity of direct flights to Phuket, with Thai International now fully appreciating the strength of the island's appeal. Direct flights to Korea from Phuket are to follow.
According to the Ministry of Tourism & Sports, there were about 150,000 Danes visiting Thailand last year out of 720,000 Scandinavians also including Finns, Swedes & Norwegians.
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My video on blip(dot)tv/GrantPhuket has footage of small welcome group in crowded busy immigration area, and interview with Governor of TAT who told me quality is now more important than quantity of tourists.
Posted by GrantPhuket on November 12, 2011 22:32