Phuket monkey viewpoint half complete

MONKEY BUSINESS: Work is being done to improve facilities at the popular monkey-viewing spot.

ON THE WAY: Upgrades are on tap for a seaside promenade at Mali Kaew Beach, where officials hope to attract more tourists.

PHUKET: -- The “monkey viewpoint” being developed on Koh Sireh is costing Rassada Municipality 14 million baht and tenders are now being accepted for a separate 24-million-baht tourism development project at nearby Mali Kaew, also on Koh Sireh.

Rassada Mayor Surathin Leunudom said the 14 million baht is being spent on renovating and extending a footpath along a 750-meter stretch of Srisuthat Road just past the bridge to Koh Sireh.

Plans include improvements in landscaping, drainage along both sides of the road, better lighting and signage – and two large sculptures of monkeys on pedestals.

The seaside mangrove area is a popular spot for locals to visit, “especially in the evening”, Mayor Surathin said.

UMTA Co Ltd began work on the project in April this year and is expected to complete construction in October, he said.

The municipality has also approved a 24-million-baht budget for renovations to the seaside promenade at Mali Kaew Beach on Koh Sireh, which will include construction of new toilets and two food stalls, he added.

“Mali Kaew is another attraction that should be developed, and after waiting for two years, I am very happy to see that this project will go ahead,” he said.

Rassada Municipality is now accepting tenders for the Mali Kaew construction project, Mayor Surathin added.

-- Phuket Gazette 2010-09-21

>>Rassada Mayor Surathin Leunudom said the 14 million baht is being spent on renovating and extending a footpath along a 750-meter stretch of Srisuthat Road just past the bridge to Koh Sireh.

This area is very dirty and smelly with a lot of trash to be seen during low tide.

>>Rassada Mayor Surathin Leunudom said the 14 million baht is being spent on renovating and extending a footpath along a 750-meter stretch of Srisuthat Road just past the bridge to Koh Sireh.

This area is very dirty and smelly with a lot of trash to be seen during low tide.

They should approach the management of the recently opened and still not completed Westin (Sheraton) hotel

It will certainly be good for their business, and for those who have yet to see it, it's worth a trip to Sireh just to have a coffee on the terrace.