Phuket officials are working had to dispel any doubts that the island is unsafe. Its image has taken a battering in past few days after the murder of a female tourist at Ao Yon waterfall last week.
A 27 year old Phuket resident, Teerawat Thothip, was arrested and charged but tourism officials are fearful it has done some damage to the island’s image. The Phuket ‘sandbox’ quarantine-free tourism scheme was already under scrutiny as a testing ground for other destinations. It has been watched closely by other countries as very few places in Asia have yet resumed international tourism.
Narong Woonciew, the governor of Phuket has promised to increase security for visitors and restore confidence.
