Phuket International Airport is facing a social media storm after using a photo of Singapore’s iconic Peranakan Houses to promote the island, leaving locals scratching their heads and critics raising eyebrows.
Facebook user Ejijum Phuket didn’t hold back, spotlighting the public relations gaffe on his page, today, December 16. He shared a post about a friend’s perplexed inquiry after spotting the misplaced image upon landing at Phuket Airport.
“I’m so embarrassed. My friend arrived at Phuket Airport and sent me this picture asking where it was so he could take a picture. Oh, gosh! I’m so confused. Is this building in Lod Chong City? (Singapore). What’s with the confusion?
“Our houses are beautiful, full of mansions, and lots of shophouses on Thalang Road. Why didn’t you do that? You used your friend’s house to promote Phuket. What the hell!
“Are you embarrassing yourself? You’re so smart. Please take it down. You’re embarrassing yourself.”
Channel 3 Plus News reported his post quickly went viral, with an avalanche of comments following suit. Some poked fun at the oversight.
“He probably thinks that all the pictures are the same. So he won’t take any more pictures. He’ll definitely copy pictures from the Internet and print them out.”
The blunder has become the talk of the town, as residents rally for a correction and a celebration of Phuket’s true local charm, insisting that the gorgeous mansions and bustling shophouses of Thalang Road would surely do the trick.
In related news, a Chinese national, wanted in his home country for murder, was apprehended at Phuket Airport. The suspect, identified as Qian Guofeng, arrived on a flight from Shanghai to the popular Thai resort island.
On the night of December 13, immigration police revealed that they received orders to intercept Qian, who became a suspect following a fatal altercation in China.
Chinese officials had alerted their Thai counterparts to prevent his entry and facilitate his return, as he was travelling on Shanghai Airlines flight FM 831 to Phuket.
The story Singapore-sling blunder leaves Phuket Airport officials red-faced as seen on Thaiger News.
