Samui Airport Officials Boost Safety Standards After Blast

12th Apr 2015

Airport officials in Samui, Bangkok has stepped up security within the airport premises to ensure safety of passengers and tourists after a bomb blast at a Samui shopping centre.

According to Supawan Tanomkieatipume, VP for Thai Hotels Association, the blasting incident occurred at the centre's parking area and may have sent some fears among tourists and residents as well. Nevertheless, she thinks that the impact on local tourism business is of little significance, stating that the incident wasn't that extensive.

Police authorities have instigated a thorough investigation of the incident.

Officials of Samui and nearby cities have tightened security in their respective jurisdictions, ensuring safety among travellers and locals.

In Supawan's opinion, the incident isn't marred with any political colour and is more likely a result of discord among some locals.

Tourists have kept their bookings at hotels in Samui and no hotel room cancellations were reportedly demanded by the travellers.

The island of Samui remains as one of Thailand's leading travel destinations and is usually listed among the top travel itineraries of tourists visiting the country.

Reports indicate that the recently concluded Songkran Festival in Thailand may have brought in about half a million foreign visitors in the country. Meanwhile, the number of local Thai travellers who have joined the festivity may have easily reached 2 million.

Hotel occupancy rates in Samui along with Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and Phuket are expected to have averaged to almost 80 per cent. The forecast is more than 6 percentage points higher than 2014 figures.

In Phuket alone, the recent Songkran Festival may have raised the city's hotel occupancy rates to about 87 per cent. While year-on-year growth rates for hotel businesses in the whole of Bangkok could reach above 12 per cent.

Meanwhile, the Director of Samui Airport, Nutchayathorn Nutsudanijvipa said that his group has boosted security measures since the incident on Friday. Parking areas near the airport facilities were cordoned off. Overnight parking services were suspended in the meantime. Management also increased safety personnel manning critical airport areas. K9 units helped screen passenger belongings prior to gaining entry. Emergency teams were put up to attend to travellers requiring more info and relevant advice.

Other airlines were also directed to enforce the same safety precautions.

Nutchayathorn said that all these efforts were being implemented to afford all passengers with the best possible security the airport could provide.

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