The Phuket Gateway proved to be an expensive project that the island did not need. Now the new Orborjor president has decided to do something practical: ask local residents what they want to do with it.

Newly-elected president of the Orborjor, Paiboon Upatising, has told local leaders that he wants to find a practical use for the wasted development.

The local leaders have now begun asking Mai Khao residents for ideas to put the ostentatious project to better use.

''The time has come for leaders to stop giving people projects they do not want,'' Khun Paiboon said.

Phuket Gateway sits close to the Thepkrasattri Bridge that carries vehicles from the mainland to Phuket.

The Gateway was intended to be a stopping place where visitors could learn a little about the island's character, culture and history.

But nearly everyone rushes straight on past to their hotel or resort. The carpark seldom has a vehicle in it.

Constructed in the time of his predecessor, Anchalee Vanich Tephabutra, and opened as part of the 80th birthday celebrations for the King, Phuket Gateway turned out to raise more questions than it answered.

The biggest question: why was it built in the first place?

-- Complete report at www.phuketwan.com

It's a little late now but with some forethought it could have been the new police check point/visitors information center.

now it really is just extra fat. perhaps somehow tie it into the Phuket ICC ?? which is going to be in Mai Khao .... some where because they just won't tell us where.