Thai Airways International will resume its Phuket-Hong Kong service on October 25 as part of its strategy to turn Phuket into its second hub, the Bangkok Post reported, citing its executive vicepresident for commercial sales, Pruet Boobphakam.

The Phuket-Hong Kong service was suspended soon after People’s Alliance for Democracy protesters blockaded Bangkok’s two airports late last year. Industry observers say the move is to combat the budget carrier Thai AirAsia’s impending launch of flights on the highpotential route.

Thai AirAsia will launch non-stop Phuket-Jakarta flights on 15 November followed by services to Chiang Mai, Medan and Ho Chi Minh City in December. The carrier also plans to provide non-stop flights from Phuket to several Asian cities, such as Bali, Surabaya, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Manila over the next year-and-a-half.