BANGKOK, 5 June 2014 – Tourism atmosphere in Pattaya, Phuket, and Koh Samui in Surat Thani Province has returned to its lively state after the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) lifted its curfew on these popular tourist destinations.
Entertainment venues on Koh Samui are crowded with foreign tourists after the NCPO has lifted the imposition of curfew hours during midnight to 4 a.m. A hotel and food operator on the island opined that the lifting of curfew would draw an increased number of tourists.
Phuket Provincial Governor Maitree Intusut said the curfew cancellation would greatly benefit the tourism sector and give a reprieve to nightlife business operators. Nonetheless, Mr. Maitree also requested every business operator to strictly comply with the NCPO’s orders.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Sports and Tourism has urged the NCPO to lift its curfew in other tourist provinces such as Krabi, Phang Nga, and Hat Yai City of Songkhla.
The ministry advised the NCPO regarding its plans to stimulate tourism by, for example, inviting foreign reporters to visit Thailand to get truly informed about the country’s current situation, and staging road shows in various Asian countries.
