As explained at the Thai embassy, the kingdom's authorities will spend $1 billion on creating a positive image of the country after the disaster. Recall that the strongest tsunami in recent years on December 26 of last year seriously affected India, Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. Thailand's tourist Mecca – Phuket Island – was left practically devastated.
The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Thailand to Russia, Sorayut Prompot, assures, however, that "tourist activity did not stop for a minute even after the catastrophe." "Most of Phuket's infrastructure was not damaged. The resorts are operating as before; of Phuket's 95 hotels, 24 closed for renovation," the ambassador said at a press conference. According to him, restoration is in full swing. Thus, on the site of the Patong resort, practically washed away by a giant wave, it is planned to create a "miracle city" with bicycle paths and a well-established public transport system.
The Thai embassy is confident that "within a month the flow of tourists to Thailand will return to previous levels." Moreover, the country is not facing an outflow of tourists for the first time; "a similar situation was observed after bird flu and SARS."
While private hotels are renovating, selecting the highest-quality paints for interior work and furniture, all the efforts and funds of the Thai authorities will be directed exclusively to promotional work. Thailand plans to participate in all European tourism exhibitions and conduct large-scale marketing campaigns there. They will spare no expense.
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