Phuket aquarium to reopen in April

PHUKET: -- The Phuket aquarium is scheduled to reopen for visitors on 10 April, after being closed for two-years.

The aquarium is one of the southern island resort’s famous tourist attractions, with more than 200 species of sea life on display, the director of the provincial centre for marine natural resources and research, Wannakiart Tabtimsaeng, told TNA.

It was closed down two years ago for renovations.

More than 80 million baht has been poured into the aquarium to make it more interesting.

A nine-metre long water tunnel where a variety of marine life will be displayed is expected to be a major draw.

Giant groupers, over a metre long, will be the main attraction, he said.

The aquarium attracted more than 300,000 visitors a year before it closed for the renovations.

The authorities hope to attract at least that number this year after the aquarium reopens.

However, Mr. Wannakiart admitted that tourist numbers might be down this year because of the last December tsunamis.

The provincial authorities hope the reopening of the aquarium will help attract more tourists to the island and help overcome the decline in the local tourist industry hard hit by the tsunami disaster.

--TNA 2005-03-25

I am so glad to hear this news. I love the Phuket aquarium as do my children. I thought it was good before so I am looking forward to seeing what they have done. Another great fieldtrip for my class as well!

The old one BTW.

Great news about this one opening once again.

Happy viewing.

I will come June.