Movie to entice more Koreans to Phuket

Anchalee Wanichthepphabutr, a deputy secretary to the prime minister, said that because of the world economic slowdown, internal political turmoil, and type- A (H1N1) influenza outbreak, the Thai government has put tourism on the national agenda, pushing forward many projects to promote the industry.

The recent success of the Asean ministerial meeting and related conferences has restored tourists' confidence and the number of visitors, especially from Asian countries, has increased - as seen by four chartered flights per week from China and three flights from Korea, she said.

The two agencies sponsored the film, directed by five-time Suphannahong Award-winning director Aditya Assarat and starring Korean actress Im Soo Jung and Thai actor Sorapong Chatree, Anchalee said.

It illustrates the lifestyle of Phuket residents and beauty of the island's tourist attractions. It will be previewed at the Pusan International Film Festival 2009 in October and screened on board many airlines, including THAI and Korean.

Association president Somboon Jirayus said use of film as a tourist booster was in line with the Tourism Authority of Thailand's idea to use celebrities as presenters. Citing a post-tsunami Australian reality show which lifted the number of Australian tourists to Thailand, he expressed hope this film starring a famous Korean actress would do the same.

Korean tourists, especially those on honeymoon trips, have strong buying power. They are among the top five of all visitors to Phuket - 138,292 last year and 13,817 for the first quarter of this year.

Aditya said this film was a love story with the backdrop of Phuket, narrated by Im Soo Jung - whose character seeks to escape the chaos, lack of privacy and problems of getting married in Korea. Sorapong stars as a hotel driver who takes her to the Phuket locations that have impressed him since childhood.

Sorapong said he was proud to help promote Thai tourism.