Phuket tourism trade jittery over instability

Consultancy laments policy interruptions

- MOLPASORN SHOOWONG

Political instability and persistent border issues continue to impact investor sentiment, making Thailand lose its competitiveness due to delayed infrastructure development and tourism stimulus, according to Phuket tourism operators.

Bill Barnett, managing director of C9 Hotelworks, a hospitality consultancy based in Phuket, said Thailand's political uncertainty has led to discontinuity in terms of national policies, including tourism stimulus and infrastructure development funding.

While investors continue to develop new properties, it’s a concern that large-scale public infrastructure projects cannot catch up, as the plans have been hampered by government instability, he noted.

For Phuket, these include a slowdown of the new expressway, light rail transportation and the plan to upgrade Phuket airport.