PTA protests air fares price hike

PHUKET: The Phuket Tourism Association (PTA) is making a last-ditch effort to convince Thai Airways (THAI) to reconsider its 15% price hike on domestic flights, due to come into effect tomorrow. Kitti Phatanachinda, Vice President of the PTA, told the Gazette today that PTA members are sending a letter to the board of THAI, the central government and the Tourism Authority of Thailand to urge that either the price hike be postponed or that a more modest increase be imposed. “We understand that THAI has to pay more for its insurance, but this price increase is at odds with the current economic situation,” K. Kitti said. “With the number of tourists in Thailand down since the terrorist attacks in the US, we should promote tourism by decreasing the cost of tickets or packages. “They should at least have given a month’s notice on the increases, instead of announcing it only 15 days in advance,” he added. Even if the letter doesn’t change anything, said K. Kitti, it will at least show THAI they have “one vote” against the price increase. The PTA is meeting tomorrow to discuss this and other issues affecting tourism in Phuket.