Vdo: Local Government Budget On Improving Facilities And Landscaping At Natural Hot Spring In Klong Thom Of Krabi

VDO on http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/prev...hp?news_id=1217

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The natural hot spring site at Klong Thom district of Krabi has been allocated over 15 million baht budget to develop the site as health tourism site while local government spent over 200,000 baht to improve parking facilities and landscaping for better service. The Klong Thom sub-district Administration Organization President Mongkol Chanakul said the parking facility can cater for around 20 coaches with a tourist centre and security facility. He also plans to set up OTOP – One Tambol One Product centre for villagers to display local products plus seasonal fruits at the centre. He further states that 80 % of visitors to the hot spring are Thais. During October last year to April this year the park collected over 4 million baht from entrance fees and spent money on the site improvement. It also plans to build three bungalows to cater for overnight tourists. The natural spring is recommended by people who have visited it as they said there are many hollowed-out so-called 'bathtubs' which are caused by running water from the thermal springs.

Meanwhile in Phang Nga:

item--4--- on VDO at

http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/prev...hp?news_id=1216

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The off peak season and global recession results in 80% decline in number of visitors for eco adventure tours in Phang-Nga.

The current global recession has led to at least 80% decline in clients of eco-adventure type of activity in Phang-Nga province. Prachuab Piyaworatham, the Managing Director of Phuket Sealand Company, which offers trekking, rafting eco-adventure tours at Tone Pariwat Sanctuary station in Songpraek of Phang-Nga, admitted that the company experienced a high decline of up to 80% in the number of clients with the majority usually being foreigners. He said during high season the company receives an average of 200-300 clients per day. The rates for a day trip of trekking rafting eco-adventure is about 3,000 baht while overnight camping for 4 people starts at 4,900 baht. While the services are popular among foreign tourists including Russian, Australian and Europeans, Prachuab admits that it is not widely known among Thais markets while local companies are trying to promote the activities more in the domestic market. The Tone Pariwat Sanctuary station in Songpraek is 85 kilometres from Phuket on the road to Phang-Nga town and 75 kilometres from the tourist destination of Khao Lak.

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Andaman News NBT TV (VHF dial) at 8.30am, broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, Friday 7 August 2009