PHUKET tourism leaders have welcomed the new Prime Minister's attempt to restore Thailand's hospitable image to the world.
And they have hailed as a necessary step his apology to about one million travellers who were either trapped by the Bangkok airports blockade or forced to change their plans because of the eight-day protest.
In his first formal speech as Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday: ''I know that many of you are still concerned about the events in the past, particularly the closure of the airports.
''I would like to tell you that the Thai people regret that those incidents had to happen and we will make sure that those are things of the past. They will never happen again.''
Mathee Tanmanatragul, president of the Thai Hotels Association, Southern Chapter, and Tunyaratt Achariyachai, Chair of the Standing Committee on Tourism of the Senate, both welcomed the PM's comments.
Khun Mathee, who had previously urged the need for a full apology, said the speech would do a lot of good and begin the healing process.
''This government gives us hope that confidence will return, along with tourists,'' he told Phuketwan. The PM was looking at the big picture and it may take a little time for him to focus on the Andaman specifically.
Khun Tunyaratt was meeting members of the tourism committee today, with a larger gathering scheduled for next week.
She was happy with the new government so far.
''This government is looking better so far than the governments of Khun Thaksin, Khun Samak or Khun Somchai,'' she said.
''Big problems still have to be overcome and the budget needs to be set so people can be helped.
''If the new PM has put the economy and tourism near the top of his priorities, that is good.''
She said Europeans planned their holidays at least a month ahead while Asian visitors tended to react faster.
So, she said, tourist numbers would fall still further, from the end of January, because confidence would take time to restore.
The political situation was more stable, but not entirely secure yet.
''It will take about two years to get back what we have lost,'' she added.
And they have hailed as a necessary step his apology to about one million travellers who were either trapped by the Bangkok airports blockade or forced to change their plans because of the eight-day protest.
In his first formal speech as Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday: ''I know that many of you are still concerned about the events in the past, particularly the closure of the airports.
''I would like to tell you that the Thai people regret that those incidents had to happen and we will make sure that those are things of the past. They will never happen again.''
Mathee Tanmanatragul, president of the Thai Hotels Association, Southern Chapter, and Tunyaratt Achariyachai, Chair of the Standing Committee on Tourism of the Senate, both welcomed the PM's comments.
Khun Mathee, who had previously urged the need for a full apology, said the speech would do a lot of good and begin the healing process.
''This government gives us hope that confidence will return, along with tourists,'' he told Phuketwan. The PM was looking at the big picture and it may take a little time for him to focus on the Andaman specifically.
Khun Tunyaratt was meeting members of the tourism committee today, with a larger gathering scheduled for next week.
She was happy with the new government so far.
''This government is looking better so far than the governments of Khun Thaksin, Khun Samak or Khun Somchai,'' she said.
''Big problems still have to be overcome and the budget needs to be set so people can be helped.
''If the new PM has put the economy and tourism near the top of his priorities, that is good.''
She said Europeans planned their holidays at least a month ahead while Asian visitors tended to react faster.
So, she said, tourist numbers would fall still further, from the end of January, because confidence would take time to restore.
The political situation was more stable, but not entirely secure yet.
''It will take about two years to get back what we have lost,'' she added.
