Weekend TRENDS Extra
Latest: State of Emergency lifted Sunday after 12 days. Samak opts out of the PM race. Tourism still suffering.
A MASS VISIT by the ambassadors from as many countries as possible is one of the plans being considered to restore tourism in Phang Nga.
Phuket's northerly neighbor usually suffers more when the island faces a tourism downturn, and the current political standoff is proving to be the latest test.
And it's those pesky travel warnings from various overseas countries that scare away tourists the most. Yet they are usually overly cautious, and most often WRONG.
Still, the first duty of the various embassies is to protect the welfare of their citizens. In some cases, like the 2004 tsunami, they even offer aid and assistance while at the same time telling their tourists to stay away.
Most sensible travellers ignore the overly-cautious warnings and do their own research on the Internet.
Are travel warnings really necessary? Tell us what you think in the Comment box below!
Sure, a ''state of emergency'' sounds scary. Anybody out there seen a tank in the street lately? No?
Really, the Andaman coast is still a wonderfully attractive and safe destination, despite that misguided and never-to-be-repeated airport closure.
Perhaps if all the ambassadors pay a visit the time would be perfect to tell them about all the unnecessary economic damage those factually incorrect and imprecise warnings cause.
In Phang Nga, positive attitudes prevail. Take Torsten Richter, the general manager of Le Meridien Khao Lak, one of the province's award-winning resorts.
Mr Richter arrived from the Sheraton Grande on Phuket to take up his new role just three weeks ago.
''People need to understand that the state of emergency is just for Bangkok, which is 1200 kilometres away,'' he told Phuketwan.
''There is usually a weekly pickup in occupancy now leading to the high season but this year, that pickup has stopped.
''We have a Korean group in-house for another week, and they are enjoying themselves,'' he said when he spoke to Phuketwan a little while back.
Another group booking cancelled because of the trouble at Phuket airport late last month.
(They must have believed a misguided travel warning.)
Mr Richter, who was often spotted on a bicycle covering the large expanses of the Sheraton as hotel manager, takes the long-term view.
''People don't come here for the nightlife but for the natural beauty,'' he said. ''That isn't going away. We expect to do very well over the next couple of years.''
As Phuketwan reported earlier this week, Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kowsurat came to Phuket on Wednesday with New Zealand Ambassador to Thailand Brook Barrington to boost morale.
We reckon the conversation went like this:
''OK, we will call off our State of Emergency if you call of your Travel Warning.''
''No, you call off your State of Emergency and we'll call off our Travel Warning . . .''
The ambassador brought the rain, but we think his visit to Phuket and the region was otherwise quite pleasant.
So if ambassadors can feel safe . . . what about those travel warnings, eh? Time they disappeared?
PHANG NGA was aligned with Krabi, which has similar attractions, under the Tourism Authority of Thailand this year.
But the province is now seeking a TAT office to call its own as well as a closer relationship with Phuket.
Whatever the outcome, don't expect Phang Nga protestors to close the airport if it doesn't happen in a hurry.
Followup: With the state of emergency lifted on Sunday, we wonder how long it will take for the 20 or so countries to lift their travel warnings. And how long it will take the Thai tourism industry to recover.
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every day, Monday to Friday, at Phuketwan. It's essential reading. To tell us your news, email bigislandmedia@gmail.com or telephone 081 6513489.Latest
TRENDS
from Phuketwan:September 10
The Andaman's added attractions this high season will include a month of widespread price cutting in November, part of a push to revitalise the tourism industry on Phuket and in the region.
Phuket Price Packages Chase Tourism Rebound
September 5
Why did they do it? That's the week's big question. The invasion of Phuket International Airport was a big mistake that is going to cost Phuket people dearly. Why?; Jobs is the critical topic as tourism slows.
Phuket Flights: Why Was Airport Invaded?
September 4
The Prime Minister defends his right to remain in power, and Cabinet follows up with a plan for a public referendum to defuse the political crisis. A referendum may also divide the protestors.
Samak Tells Thailand: I Am Not Going Anywhere
September 3
Phuket occupancy rates are down from 55 percent to 30 percent and the recovery will take up to two years, a tourism industry leader says. The island and airlines continue to count the cost of the airport siege.
Phuket Air Siege: Two Years For Recovery
September 2
With a state of emergency announced in Bangkok, a survey of Phuket resorts indicates that the airport siege cost the tourism industry dearly. One thing is sure: Phuket is no longer the haven from political unrest it was last week.
Phuket Resorts Report Cancellations, Uncertainty
September 1
Phuket is flying again. Perhaps not as high as it would like yet, but that will come in time. What was the cost of the airport blockade and what are the lessons for the island? Here's our analysis.
Phuket Flights Return, Island Counts The Cost
