Tourism minister restores tourist's confidence in Phuket

BANGKOK, Sept 11 (TNA) -- Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kowsurat visited Phuket on Monday to restore tourist's confidence after a tour boat tragedy affected tourist arrivals there. In the trip, Mr Weerasak went to the old town area of the island province. He visited places of cultures, local traditional clothing and souvenirs and watched a Chinese music performance and Hokkien noodle cooking demonstration. Phuket possessed not only beautiful natural surroundings but also valuable cultures and attractions that tourist could see all year long, the minister said. The visit followed the Phoenix boat tragedy off Phuket island on the night of July 5 when 47 Chinese tourists were killed. Mr Weerasak assured that authorities were working at their best to guarantee safety for tourists. He commented that lower tourist arrivals in Phuket in the past few months might result from the low season and when the high season starts next month, authorities can see the real impact of the boat incident on Phuket tourism. (TNA)