Phuket to see fewer Singaporeans

– A daily digest of news from around the world compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community

PHUKET: Holidaymakers from Singapore have been avoiding crisis-stricken Thailand, most notably Phuket which is only an hour and a half’s direct flight away from the Lion City.

Outbound tour agencies in Singapore are reporting a decline of up to 80 per cent in travel sales to Thailand, noting that Phuket-bound customers are diverting travel plans to Bali.
According to Today Online, travel deals to Thailand this summer look set to remain unpopular in Singapore.

“Interest should return once the problems are over and promotions are re-introduced,” said Ms Alicia Seah, senior vice-president of marketing and public relations at CTC Holidays.

But promotions in Phuket at this point are unlikely to improve the current low occupancies. “I think hotel promotions at this juncture would be useless…. But traveller confidence will come back probably by August or September,” Ms Seah said.

Club Med guests favored in Phuket

E-Travel Balckboard
Club Med’s ability worldwide to cope with the unprecedented volcanic ash cloud event that closed Europe’s air space was notable, particularly in Phuket where they received a special favor.

Many tourists were stranded in Phuket without the right to extended accommodation that exists in Europe.

Club Med say they mobilized crisis management teams all over the world and prepared a comprehensive action plan allowing guests who were already in a Club Med Resort to stay on at no extra charge – including those in Phuket where the resort was under no obligation to do so.

According to e-Travel Blackboard, a spokesman for Club Med Europe says that by 23 April, 95% of the guests present in Club Med resorts worldwide during the volcanic eruption had returned home without additional expense, thanks to the “All-Inclusive” offer.

Call to register for Phuket marathon

PR Leap
Registration for the Laguna Phuket International Marathon ends on June 5, so those who would enjoy running the beautiful course along Phuket’s white sand beaches and through its green rubber plantations should start registering.

Shorter races – either a half-marathon or 10.5km run – are also available, as well as a 5km walking course and a 2km kid’s run.

Depending on the event entered, participation costs between 150 baht and 3,400 baht.

The Phuket Gazette and PGTV are charter media sponsors for this annual marathon, now in its fifth year.

Special offer at Adamas Phuket

Asia Travel Tips
A “Perfect Hideaway for Total Wellness” package for guests at Phuket’s Adamas Resort and Spa has been launched by the TRIA Integrative Wellness and Medical Institute in cooperation with Citibank.

The offer includes a discount of up to 50% for Citibank Platinum cardholders when they purchase a 3-day, 2-night package starting from 7,200 baht. The offer is available until 30 June 2010.

Two Phuket Fantasea tickets with transfer will also be offered when guests buy a 7-day, 6-night package before 15 May.

Hospital raid forces patient transfer

Earth Times
Thailand’s best-known public hospital, Chulalongkorn Hospital, evacuated more than 200 patients yesterday after a raid by the red-shirted anti-government protestors on Friday night raised security concerns.

The Red Shirts forced their way into the building Thursday night to search for soldiers and snipers. None were found.

The protesters, who have occupied the area around the hospital for the past three weeks, claimed their supporters had seen soldiers in the hospital and feared they would fire on them from the rooftops.

They have put up barricades of rubber tires and sharpened bamboo poles at the intersection in front of the hospital to block a sudden attack from government troops stationed across the street.

— Gazette Editors