THAI AIRWAYS is to resume twice-weekly flights from Narita, Tokyo's international airport, direct to Phuket from July 17.
The first flight will include 300 tourists and 33 media representatives, who will be reporting on post-tsunami Phuket as a destination for Japanese audiences.
Direct flights from Tokyo stopped after the 2004 tsunami. Suwalai Pinpradap, director of southern branch 4 of the TAT, sees the return of air traffic from the Japanese capital as a healthy sign.
Japanese, along with Taiwanese, have been reluctant to come back in large numbers since the tsunami, perhaps because of their exposure to earthquakes at home.
''Numbers of Japanese visitors should rise by at least 10 percent this year because of the direct flights,'' Khun Suwalai said. At least one large package group is to follow late this month.
She attributed the return of the direct flights to a road show to Japan last year. She contacted Thai Airways and assured the company that demand existed for the route to reopen.
The number of Japanese visitors to Phuket totalled 206,381 in 2004 and fell to 44,662 in 2005. The figure rose to 114,882 in 2006 and 115,751 in 2007.
It would seem a return to pre-tsunami figures is underway.
Kamala builders 'go above 80 metres'
KAMALA police have been informed of two cases in the Kamala hills where foreign investors are alleged to have begun construction on projects above the 80 metre limit.
Officials from the Natural Resources and Environment Office and Forestry went to see police on June 29.
Phuket environmental chief Ongart Chanachanmongkol said that more than 10 units had been erected on one of the properties.
Both projects had been approved by local officials. The documents were delivered to police and officers plan to investigate the reason why the projects were approved.
Beachfront to lose stalls
OFFICIALS in Kamala are forcing hawkers and stallholders off the beachfront. June 30 was the last day for people from about 50 illegal shops to move.
About 28 shops have apparently opted not to move before the deadline.
Officials from Provincial Hall in Phuket City will be asked to help shift the remaining stallholders.
The stallholders are mostly locals who see the beachfront as the best place to make money. In some cases, the stallholders have given up good jobs because selling to tourists seems easier.
Small lock-up shops are part of a plan to improve the road and walkways along the beach area. The upgrade has a budget of 140 million baht.
The first flight will include 300 tourists and 33 media representatives, who will be reporting on post-tsunami Phuket as a destination for Japanese audiences.
Direct flights from Tokyo stopped after the 2004 tsunami. Suwalai Pinpradap, director of southern branch 4 of the TAT, sees the return of air traffic from the Japanese capital as a healthy sign.
Japanese, along with Taiwanese, have been reluctant to come back in large numbers since the tsunami, perhaps because of their exposure to earthquakes at home.
''Numbers of Japanese visitors should rise by at least 10 percent this year because of the direct flights,'' Khun Suwalai said. At least one large package group is to follow late this month.
She attributed the return of the direct flights to a road show to Japan last year. She contacted Thai Airways and assured the company that demand existed for the route to reopen.
The number of Japanese visitors to Phuket totalled 206,381 in 2004 and fell to 44,662 in 2005. The figure rose to 114,882 in 2006 and 115,751 in 2007.
It would seem a return to pre-tsunami figures is underway.
Kamala builders 'go above 80 metres'
KAMALA police have been informed of two cases in the Kamala hills where foreign investors are alleged to have begun construction on projects above the 80 metre limit.
Officials from the Natural Resources and Environment Office and Forestry went to see police on June 29.
Phuket environmental chief Ongart Chanachanmongkol said that more than 10 units had been erected on one of the properties.
Both projects had been approved by local officials. The documents were delivered to police and officers plan to investigate the reason why the projects were approved.
Beachfront to lose stalls
OFFICIALS in Kamala are forcing hawkers and stallholders off the beachfront. June 30 was the last day for people from about 50 illegal shops to move.
About 28 shops have apparently opted not to move before the deadline.
Officials from Provincial Hall in Phuket City will be asked to help shift the remaining stallholders.
The stallholders are mostly locals who see the beachfront as the best place to make money. In some cases, the stallholders have given up good jobs because selling to tourists seems easier.
Small lock-up shops are part of a plan to improve the road and walkways along the beach area. The upgrade has a budget of 140 million baht.
