IN a move to rebuild tourist confidence here, maritime safety drills will replace traditional lion dances as this popular tourist destination welcomes the Year of the Rat.
The aim is to help tourists feel safe, following the Phoenix tour boat accident in 2018, which was among the worst maritime tragedies in Phuket.
According to the Bangkok Post, many tourists had opted for other destinations after the accident, which claimed the lives of 47 Chinese passengers. As a result, the number of Chinese visitors to Phuket plunged by 20 per cent.
Deputy chairman of the Thai-Chinese Cultural and Relationship Council, Wichat Trairat, said despite moves to prevent a
recurrence of the tragedy, no agency could fully restore confidence in maritime travel, which is why the council and local authorities agreed to boost tourist confidence by ramping up safety measures during Chinese New Year.
The festival will be marked with a demonstration of maritime rescue.
Twelve rescuers from China’s Peaceland Foundation will join their Thai counterparts in holding a full-scale emergency drill on Thursday, Phuket governor Phakaphong Tavipatana said.