Thai Prime Minister urges long-term measures to rehabilitate tourism industry in Phuket, first two international airlines announces official flights to island

Phuket –

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-O’Cha had chaired a meeting to discuss tourism rehabilitation with cabinet ministers, six provincial governors, representatives of the public, and private sectors at Duangjitt Resort and Spa Hotel in Phuket island yesterday, November 2.

The Prime Minister stressed at the meeting that Phuket province has been considered the second-highest income from the tourism industry in Thailand, apart from Bangkok, and it is now facing a tremendous financial loss after being affected by the global Covid-19 pandemic. Pattaya is the third biggest tourist location.

Therefore, he urges the authorities to rebuild the tourism sector in many popular tourist destinations in the South, especially on Koh Samui and Phuket.

“When I arrived in Koh Samui and Phuket and saw the conditions of both cities, I realized that conditions in Phuket were more drastic because the province had only relied on tourism. So, we have to figure out how to make the situation in Phuket better and we will look forward to gathering information in order to find a proper solution for all parties.” said the Prime Minister.

Phuket had proposed several long-term measures to rehabilitate its economic crisis, including wellness tourism projects, provincial infrastructure developments, and extension of ‘We Travel Together’.

The private sectors and organizations had introduced the extension of the ‘We Travel Together’ government campaign until December 31, 2021, and the 50-percent discount of weekday flights from Bangkok in order to potentially promote mobile meetings and seminars in the province from domestic business sectors.

The Prime Minister and the cabinet committee will hold the mobile Cabinet meeting in Mai Khao area later today and will be discussing tourism agendas for southern businesses affected by Covid-19, including soft loans for airlines and other tourism-related companies.

Meanwhile, two international airlines, Emirates Airlines and Qatar Airways, are officially the first two inbound international flights to land in Phuket for foreign tourists traveling under Special Tourist Visa (STV) scheme.

The first Emirates Flight of EK378 had landed at the Phuket International Airport yesterday, November 2, at 2:20 PM. during the Prime Minister’s visit. It is originated from Dubai and landed in Bangkok at 11:25 AM. before heading to Phuket.

This semi-commercial flight was reportedly carrying a group of STV foreigners who are now being state quarantined at Alternative Local State Quarantine (ALSQ) accommodations. The exact amount of tourists and their nationality were not yet revealed.

Another semi-commercial flight of Flight QR978 from Qatar Airways is expected to depart from Doha and arrive on the island tomorrow, November 4.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has operated two international airlines to increase travel options for various groups of passengers, such as business travelers and long-term residents, according to the Thai government public relations department.

Both airlines are semi-commercial flights and are scheduled to operate two times a week to facilitate foreign tourists entering the country on the STV visa. It is being reported by the department the foreign affairs ministry is in talks with more international airlines to launch semi-commercial flights to Phuket International Airport.

Photo Courtesy: PR Phuket City, Posttoday

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Nop Meechukhun
National News Writer at The Pattaya News from September 2020 to October, 2022. Born and raised in Bangkok, Nop enjoys telling stories of her hometown through her words and pictures. Her educational experience in the United States and her passion for journalism have shaped her genuine interests in society, politics, education, culture, and art.