- Published: 21/10/2012 at 06:16 PM
- Writer: Online Reporters
Thanongsak Somwong, a member of the council's committee on the Gulf of Thailand and president of Koh Samui Tourism Promotion Association, called on the government to develop a state-owned airport. The island currently has a private airport which has drawn complaints of a monopoly.
Mr Thanongsak said Koh Samui earns almost 30 billion baht in tourism revenue each year so a state-run international airport would increase the number of flights, low-cost airlines or chartered flights and direct flights from overseas. With more flights, the island will see a rise in tourist numbers at all levels and would help lift tourism revenue to 50-60 billion baht a year.
The council raised the issue with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who is touring southern provinces and joined a meeting to discuss problems on Koh Samui.
Council president Piyaman Techapaiboon said it will ask the premier to consider accelerating the appointment of a tourism development committee to promote the miracle of having two oceans in the south, as it is a sector with high potential for development.
The council also wants to see the bus concessions boosted and to improve routes by allowing buses to depart from the actual tourism destinations.
A total of 13.3 million tourists visited the Andaman side generating over 200 billion baht in revenue, up 60% from 2011. However, there were only 5.4 million visitors to the Gulf of Thailand side, creating about 41 billion baht of revenue.
Meanwhile, more tourists are looking to find new destinations on the Gulf of Thailand side especially in destinations with natural and cultural conservation so there should be integration of tourism of both sides to increase the length of stay of tourists in Thailand.
Share your thoughts
- Discussion 1 : 22/10/2012 at 07:52 AM
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Samui already has a traffic jam all the way around the island. How can they justify more tourists?
- Discussion 2 : 22/10/2012 at 02:19 AM
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We already have power cuts and our water turned off daily because of over demand. Our roads are bursting at the seams with too many vehicles and now the suggestion is to bring more people here? This island is far too small for 2 airports, it is only the greedy hotel owners and tour operators who want this. Unfortunately, cheap tourists spend little outside of their 'all in' holiday packages. Very few people will benefit, many will suffer.
from iPhone application.
- Discussion 3 : 21/10/2012 at 11:06 PM
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Samui is already overdeveloped from what it was 20 years ago. While I don't agree with the one airport monopoly I fear Samui will just become a big Pattaya for the sex trade, the mafias and the rich. More big money for politicians and the police though.
- Discussion 4 : 21/10/2012 at 10:43 PM
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My first time in Koh Samui, I remember walking up this mountain trail to see a really nice waterfall. It was a quite walk through the forest. Last year I returned and it was hardly recognizable. Trees chopped down, an elephant ride service was there, restaurants and tourist gimmics everywhere. I'm with falangsur #2 - the island needs conversation before it's no longer worth visiting.
- Discussion 5 : 21/10/2012 at 10:30 PM
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Just where can they built another airport on Samui? A second airport would do more damage than good.
- Discussion 6 : 21/10/2012 at 09:43 PM
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How does an airport in Koh Samui help "Southern Thailand"? It helps Koh Samui.
- Discussion 7 : 21/10/2012 at 09:02 PM
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I'm not a red shirts' fan (nor yellow), but NO, not a 2nd airport on the relatively small Samui island, today the 'Government' wanted to build a large one in Dhonsak (intercontinental charter flights?)... Now this! Please go on with Dhonsak, add some cheap investment credits, and licences, for speed ferries companIES, good business, done deal (a 2nd airport on Samui, one in the build on Phan Ngan now, the big airforce (+ civilian) one in Surat, and the Dhonsak project, isn't that too much?)!
- Discussion 8 : 21/10/2012 at 08:45 PM
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If Thailand should grant a 60-days tourist visa on arrival, in stead of a 30-days now, many tourists should stay longer than 1 month. Many tourists -me included- don't like the inconvenience of asking for visa at ambassies and consulates in their home country.
- Discussion 9 : 21/10/2012 at 08:13 PM
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Surely, too many tourist at any place eventually overkill's the place. Hence numbers should be controlled to what the infrastructure can support.
- Discussion 10 : 21/10/2012 at 08:07 PM
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What in the world do these people smoke before they start running their mouths on statistics
- Discussion 11 : 21/10/2012 at 07:48 PM
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Koh Samui needs better infrastructure and less "expansion". It does not need more tourists - it needs more conservation. spend the money improving and protecting what is there already - it will help with tourism in a sustainable way better than a new airport.....
- Discussion 12 : 21/10/2012 at 07:28 PM
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More make-believe numbers
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