Thais approve plans for new Phuket centre

By David Johnson BANGKOK The Royal Thai government is pushing ahead with plans to build an international convention centre on Phuket. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) confirmed to CEI Asia Pacific the project is going ahead and a study is being conducted to identify a suitable location for the new facility. "The convention centre for Phuket is at the stage of a feasibility study, which is being conducted to find a location in Phuket," TAT director international convention division, Mr Udom Metatamrongsiri said. The move comes despite the reservations of some figures in the convention, exhibition and incentive industry that there are already enough major convention centres in Asia Pacific. Moreover, successful centres are typically in capitals or cities with direct air access. Response among the private sector in Thailand has been mixed. Diethelm Events manager Mr David Barrett said: "It is currently overlooked as there is no major facility there. But it would need direct flight accessibility. That is the main negative," he said. "On the positive side, Phuket has over 20,000 three- to five-star hotel rooms, has plenty of restaurants and is attractive for sightseeing." However, he warned promotion should start at the same time as the foundations are laid.