File photo for reference only

 

Phuket’s leaders and experts convened yesterday at the Royal Phuket City Hotel to discuss new environmental regulations set forth by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE). The seminar, aptly titled "Unlocking the Phuket Environment: Crisis or Opportunity?", was organised by the Phuket Chamber of Commerce. Chamber President, Kongsak Khoopongsakorn, led the event, which was heavily attended by entrepreneurs and investors eager to comprehend the implications of the revised 2024 measures.

 

Central to these discussions was the Cabinet's controversial decision to permit construction beyond the island’s longstanding 80-metre height restriction. This move is speculated to incite a surge in hilltop developments, significantly benefiting landowners with properties on higher ground.

 

Town planner and keynote speaker Rakkiat Deetphin highlighted the dual focus of the new regulations: conserving natural beauty while supporting development in line with Phuket’s master plan. Amendments to various laws were explored, showing the impact on land use and zoning regulations.

 

 

During the seminar’s opening, Kongsak stressed the vital role these measures play in Phuket's sustainable future. With 13 million visitors contributing to a staggering 480 billion baht in revenue in 2024, protecting natural resources is essential to maintaining the island’s allure.

 

Interactive discussions allowed attendees to voice opinions on marrying development goals with environmental preservation. Set to take effect from December 13, 2024, the regulations aim to secure Phuket's future, balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability.

 

-- 2025-01-24

 

 

IMHO the Phuket government should NOT build anything new until it has fixed  the trash, water, sewage and any other problems, WITH ITS OWN FUNDS, by a factor of 50% over the 2025 current requirements. Then, and ONLY then, should they allow new buildings and accommodation to be built.

 

Snipped from the OP.

 

With 13 million visitors contributing to a staggering 480 billion baht in revenue in 2024, protecting natural resources is essential to maintaining the island’s allure.

 

They expect a staggering 480 billion baht in revenue, so they should invest their own money on improvements to their own infrastructure, without begging the government for more money, that the rest of Thailand will never get a share of.

 

If you get a budget, learn to live within it, as all people have to do.

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

aptly titled "Unlocking the Phuket Environment: Crisis or Opportunity?",

Phuket is already packed solid with poor infrastructure to support the numbers.

Stop building bloody condos and hotels and sort out the infrastructure, water management, waste disposal, parking, roads etc etc.

Plus monitoring & controlling the number of all the types of the registered vehicles in Phuket. More investing in public transport is needed & accepting the idea of the pedestrian shopping area.

 

(Google explaining)

A pedestrian zone, also known as a car-free zone, is an area within a city or town that is exclusively reserved for pedestrians. In these zones, most or all automobile traffic is prohibited, allowing for improved safety, air quality, and livability of public spaces.

 

Phuket is becoming a nightmare and I know people who are selling up because of the horrendous traffic,unfettered building and the pollution which is getting bad. Tropical paradise no more.