“Tesco Lotus has been operating in Thailand for 18 years, delivering excellent value for our customers and actively contributing to local communities where we operate," the statement said.
“We have helped customers lower their cost of living through low-price products and promotional campaigns, offered business opportunities to over 5,000 suppliers who sell their products in our stores, created over 40,000 full-time jobs nationwide and helped local communities through active staff volunteering of over 2.3 million hours last year.
“We serve a large number of customers each week, including small retailers who can buy our products in bulk to sell at a healthy margin.
“We always ensure that any proposal to open a new store complies with the relevant local and national regulations.
“For the planned project [in Phuket Town], we have gathered feedback from the community and conducted an environmental impact assessment which will be shared with the local community.
“We will continue to engage all local stakeholders to ensure that any action we take will best serve the people of Phuket.”
People living near the site of the planned store argue that it will radically change the community, putting small shops out of business and causing traffic jams in the narrow roads of the town.
Some 700 people marched in protest through the streets on Thursday (August 16) and presented a petition opposing the new store to Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha.