Chinese Tourists in Phuket

Thailand is becoming increasingly easier to explore with direct flights from various international carriers opening up the islands to tourists. Now we are due to see an influx of travellers from China with twice-weekly flights already available from Guangzhou to Phuket, the route is expected to bring 16,000 Chinese tourists to Thailand's pearl of the Andaman. Operated by China’s national flag carrier, China Southern Airlines, they have plans for a further 2 international flights due to commence in August, a direct flight from Guangzhou to Langkawi in Malaysia twice a week and a charter flight to Surat Thani in Thailand.

The charter flight is scheduled to fly direct from Guangzhou to Surat Thani on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sundays, returning every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Surat Thani is the largest province of the South and rated as one of Southeast Asia's top tourist attractions. There are a huge number of island along the coast that are easily reached from Surat Thani, including Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan and Ko Tao, as well as the Ko Ang Thong marine national park, and ferries run regularly every day.

China is not the only market that Phuket is attracting tourists from, new flights from Korea have recently commenced with two flights a week arriving until October. Also expect to see 747 charter flights from Spain as each flight arrives with around 450 passengers, to continue twice a week until October.

Phuket Governor Wichai Praisangob has put the success of these new flights down to the recent Asean Foreign Ministers Meeting and the Asean Regional Forum held in Phuket which has helped to boost confidence among foreign holiday planners.