Thailand`s southern Andaman province of Krabi opened its arms – and beaches – to tourists…
Thailand`s southern Andaman province of Krabi opened its arms – and beaches – to tourists, with an announcement by the deputy provincial governor that 90 percent of the province`s tourism destinations had already returned to normal following last month`s tsunamis.
Flanked by public and private sectors` officials, Mr. Chai Panichpornphan stood outside the provincial hall to announce that only around 10 percent of the province`s tourism destinations still showed signs of tsunami damage.
Several destinations, he said, were now welcoming back tourists, including the Railey Beach, Ao Phranang and Koh Lanta.
While acknowledging that Koh Phi Phi remained off-limits, he said that several other nearby islands, such as Koh Rok and Koh Ngai had emerged unscathed from the disaster.
He also noted that the province has a number of natural attractions in the hinterland, including the Emerald Pool in Klong Thom district and several waterfalls.
Eager to pull tourists back to the province following the tsunamis, the province is going ahead with a Valentine`s day cliff-top wedding ceremony in which couples will ascend a cliff face before tying the knot.
Assurances that the province was not suffering from outbreaks of diseases, meanwhile, came from Dr. Weeraphol Nithiphong, the provincial public health chief, who stressed that diseases were not a problem, and that local seafood is safe to eat.
He also confirmed that the Krabi sea was safe to bathe in.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.