Thai airport authority supports duty-free zones plan

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The Airport Authority of Thailand (AAT) suggested in local press reports this week that Chiang Mai and Phuket be promoted as duty-free cities.

AAT chairman Therdsak Sajjarak said that the AAT has not yet received the government's policy for the promotion of the tourism industry, adding that the AAT will was ready to comply with whatever direction the government chooses.

"If [Phuket and Chiang Mai] were duty-free towns, more tourist flights would visit Thailand," he said, adding that this would result in an influx of foreign currency.

The Thai government has set up a task force to study the development of the country as a regional aviation hub with the growth of more international traffic at local airports such as Chiang Mai in the North, Phuket in the South, and others in the Northeast.

Representatives of the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the Aviation Department, the Airports Authority of Thailand, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thai Airways and other private companies are holding meetings to consider investment and incentives for international airlines. The task force report is due to be published in March.