Phuket International Airport today announced that the use of images of buildings from Singapore’s old town to market its own tourism were intentional and not a mistake.
Phuket Airport yesterday, December 16, found itself in the eye of a social media storm after they used some pictures of Singapore to promote the popular holiday resort.
Netizens took to social media in their hundreds to criticise what they saw as an embarrassing blunder involving promotional material.
Eagle-eyed Facebook user Ejijum Phuket unveiled the slip-up, sharing a post that caught international attention.
A baffled foreign visitor at Phuket Airport spotted the promotional image and was keen to discover the location of the quaint old building labelled as a Phuket attraction.
However, upon further inspection, it turned out to be a picture of the Peranakan Houses on Joo Chiat Road in Singapore, quite a detour from Phuket or Thailand.
Ejijum’s post didn’t hold back.
“It’s embarrassing. A friend landed at Phuket Airport and sent me this picture, asking where it was. I was left scratching my head. Is this Lod Chong City (Singapore)?
“Why not use our stunning mansions, shophouses, and streets instead of borrowing from our neighbours? This is utterly humiliating. Please take it down.”
As the post went viral, the airport was slammed for using an image from another country, with many pointing out Phuket’s own treasures like the Sino-Portuguese architecture of Phuket Old Town, which surely deserves the spotlight.
Responding to the backlash, a Phuket Airport spokesperson took to its Facebook page, Phuket International Airport – HKT, to clear the air.
Kapook reported that they explained that the image of Singaporean architecture was part of a series of decorations intended to enhance the atmosphere inside the passenger terminal, intended to highlight the style of architecture unique to Phuket.
In a statement, the airport apologised for any confusion caused, assuring the public they would rectify the oversight.
Original story: Singapore-sling blunder leaves Phuket Airport officials red-faced
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.
The story Copy-paste tourism: Phuket Airport owns up to Singapore snap as seen on Thaiger News.
