Tourism Strategy Discussed For The Andaman Coastal Provinces

[Jai Dee]

PM met governors of Andaman coastal provinces to discuss tourism strategy

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont had a meeting with the governors of the six Andaman coastal provinces to restore the tsunami-hit areas as well as to boost the tourism industry in the region. The six provinces include Phuket, Krabi, Phang Nga, Trang, Satun, and Ranong.

The meeting concluded that a working body responsible for promoting sustainable tourism will be formed, and it will put an emphasis on the conservation of natural environment and resources. Members of the public will be encouraged to cooperate with the tourism officials, and the Sufficiency Economy philosophy will also be applied to develop the areas optimally.

According to the tourism strategy, Phuket, Krabi, and Phang Nga will be the three major provinces that will attract most Thai and foreign tourists, while Trang, Satun, and Ranong will try to draw in tourists from the main tourist attractions.

Gen. Surayud says the government is ready to support the projects on transportation and infrastructures to help promote tourism.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 17 May 2007

[NBT TV Phuket]

MiniVDO: The Prime Minister listened to needs and development plans for the six southern provinces on the Andaman coast and asked governors to focus on the early warning system plus the application of sufficient economy.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://www.thaisnews.com/news_detail.php?newsid=213826

During his visit to Krabi on Monday, just before the meeting at the Maritime Park and Spa Resort with the 6 governors, Thai Prime Minister Gen. Surayud Chulanont met with around 100 residents who came to greet him and support the Prime Minister to resolve the deep southern unrest. The villagers also sought the Prime Minister’s assistance for the minorities’ nationalities, land and tsunami effects which General Surayud pledged to look into.

After that the Prime Minister, with six other ministers of Labour, Energy, Natural Resource and Environment, Tourism, Transport and Interior had a meeting with the governors in which they were briefed by Krabi Governor Siwa Sirisaowaluck on redevelopment after the 2004 tsunami and proposed projects for which they sought funds from the central government. The main issues covered tidiness or waste management, safety for community and tourists, transportation links and environmental care. Five other provincial governors were also allowed five minutes each to make presentations. Phuket proposed traffic solutions in town, a second burner for its incinerator and an international convention center, while Phang-Nga sought permission to utilize the national park area for reservoir construction and land acquisition at a site where the police boat TOR 813 was washed ashore to develop it into a Tsunami Memorial Park. The province also asked the Bank of Thailand to extend until February 2008 a soft loan scheme for entrepreneurs.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont told government agencies to speed up rehabilitation of the tsunami affected areas to improve the quality of life for residents with the comprehensive installation of a warning system. The Information Communications & Technology Ministry has been instructed to link the warning system to telecommunication networks including the installation of security cameras in popular tourist areas. The Prime Minister indicated no plans to proceed in the short term with mega-projects, while he urged governors to put into practice the sufficiency economy principle.

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MiniVDO: The Prime Minister visited Lanta Island in Krabi where local villagers requested his support for a bridge there.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://www.thaisnews.com/news_detail.php?newsid=213825

After a meeting with six provincial governors in the southern Andaman provinces, Prime Minister Gen. Surayud Chulanont led his cabinet members to make an aerial inspection of Phi Phi and Lanta islands, which are both major tourist destinations. Landing at a local school on Lanta Island, the Prime Minister’s group was welcomed by local residents, comprising Buddhists, Muslims and the sea gypsies there. They told the Prime Minister that they came to show their support for his attempt to resolve the southern unrest issue and that they would like to see the whole country live in peace and harmony, condemning the terrorists and separatists. On this occasion representatives of the local residents and members of the Lanta rehabilitation group submitted a letter to the Prime Minister requesting his support for the bridges linking Lanta Noi to the main land and connecting the two islands of Lanta Noi and Lanta Yai. At present the villagers are using ferries. Land issues were also among topics they sought help for. They asked that specific town planning for Lanta Yai, which is now under a feasibility study, be reviewed as the locals were not consulted during the preparation. The channel dredging at Bor Haen from Koh Nui to Loh Duyong was also proposed. The Prime Minister told the group that he will ask the related agencies to assist the local residents. The group had lunch at Pimalai hotel before departing to Bangkok on the same day.

from Andaman News TV11 (VHF dial) + Radio Thailand FM90.5 Phuket City, both broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, 8.30am & later on Phuket Cable TV Channel 1, Thursday 17 May 2007 & www.Thaisnews.com {Our news text and mini-videos can be freely copied, but give credit to Andaman News TV11 Phuket or contact [email protected]}