KOH SAMET UPGRADE: Overhaul plan may be scrapped after outcry

Tourism agency draws flak over idea to make island a high-end destination

BANGKOK: -- In the face of growing opposition to its plan to redevelop Rayong’s Koh Samet, the Organisation for the Development of Special Areas for Sustainable Tourism yesterday suggested it might scrap the idea.

“We may not do anything at Koh Samet at all. You see, there are many places that are waiting for us,” said director Thanya Harnpon.

The plan has drawn criticism from the Network of Koh Samet Conservation Community Organisation, which is concerned that the plan would effectively allow big investors to come in and, through their pricing tactics, make the island available to high-end tourists only.

The network’s secretary-general, Dujhatai Nawapanich, said her organisation never wanted the plan put forward.

“We don’t aim for huge growth for tourism here,” she said.

Ja-re Sangsuwan, the kamnan of Tambon Ban Pe, in Rayong, welcomed the news that the redevelopment plan might be cancelled.

He said local people and the network already had plans for developing Koh Samet, focused on eco-tourism. “We will soon request funds from a local administrative organisation,” he added.

He said local people had bitter regard for the government since it abruptly declared many parts of their land as belonging to a national park more than 20 years ago.

“We had lived there for generations and suddenly the plots became public land,” Ja-re said. He was among eight people who refused to abide by the mandatory relocation and is now facing charges of encroachment.

Ja-re said he had lodged complaints with the Senate committee on justice and the National Human Rights Commission.

--The Nation 2005-06-21

I really do hope Samet stays as it is... cramming full of high class resorts is not the answer... it will loose it's basic-ness...

Eco Tourism is the right direction, but not high class resorts..

totster

I think Koh Samet is already over developed...should have stopped about 20 years ago.

He said local people and the network already had plans for developing Koh Samet, focused on eco-tourism. “We will soon request funds from a local administrative organisation,” he added.

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It's already too late for Phuket & Samui... let's hope it's not for Samet and it can remain essentially as it is.

Last time I was there they seemed to be cramming bungalows of dubious quality into every single nook and cranny in the forest, even quite a distance from the beach. I think the poor place will be ruined before they realize it has happened.

Last time I was there they seemed to be cramming bungalows of dubious quality into every single nook and cranny in the forest, even quite a distance from the beach.  I think the poor place will be ruined before they realize it has happened.

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I was under the impression that new bungalows weren't allowed to built on Samet unless they were replacing old ones... i.e in effect, there will always be the same number of bunglows on the island..

Maybe this has been relaxed, or "lubricated" ...

totster