The oil spill off Koh Samet continues to recede with the situation coming back to the normal. TAT and the Ministry of Tourism are now starting a recovery tourism campaign to rebuild confidence.
BANGKOK- In its latest daily bulletin published on Tuesday afternoon, TAT indicates that further improvement has been reported in the dispersion and dissipation of the oil spill off Samet Island. Looking at pictures provided by the “COSMO-SkyMed-4” Satellite on August 4, only the presence of small quantities of oil film near the northern coastal area of the island was detected. Oil spill has almost totally been cleared up.
Sample tests of water, sand, air, marine life and corals in the sea off Rayong have not indicated any dangerous chemical residues. Nevertheless, the environment and ecological system in the area of oil slick will be monitored for at least 12 months, according to a minister. Vichet Kasemthongsri, Natural Resources and Environment Minister, who made a personal inspection at Phrao Bay on Samet Island on August 4. A big clean-up and recovery day is to be held on Ko Samet Island on August 10 to help regain tourists’ confidence.
TAT Rayong office together with TAT Head office will organise an Agent & Media Fam Trip of about 25 people between 14-15 August 2013 to survey the area and see the progress for themselves. They will also have a chance to discuss business with the local entrepreneurs. In parallel, Tourism Minister Somsak Pureesrisak and his team have already unveiled for the domestic market a “Kok Kaek Tour”, a special tour package to rebuild tourism to Samet Island.
Tourism business at other beaches in Rayong such as Hat Mae Ramphueng, Hat Suan Son, and Hat Wang Kaeo has remained unaffected. About twenty beaches on Samet including Had Sai Kaeo (Crystal Sand Beach), Ao Wong Duean, Ao Phai, Ao Kio and Ao Karang are located on the east coast of Samet Island, which remained totally unaffected by the catastrophe.
Luc Citrinot a French national is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years experience. Based in Paris and Bangkok, he works for various travel and air transport trade publications in Europe and Asia.
