webfact Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 New development plan for Phuket’s Saphan Hin A composite image showing the area to be developed under the plan. Image: LMG PHUKET: -- A proposal has been put forward to develop a multi-purpose tourist center at Saphan Hin in Phuket Town. The plan was pitched to Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha by Norwegian maritime engineering company LMG Marin at a meeting last week. Saphan Hin is Phuket Town’s largest park and its seafront has long been earmarked as a location for a major new tourist development. The proposed development would include both onshore and offshore facilities around the man-made peninsula, covering 500,000 square meters and featuring a hotel, apartments, a business zone, a public park, a university and a research institute. Following a site survey and unofficial talks with Phuket Town Mayor Somjai Suwansupapana, LMG Marin want to carry out a pre-feasibility study of Saphan Hin to analyze whether a new development is possible. The company is now waiting for Gov Tri to give the green light to the pre-feasibility study before proceeding. If given the go-ahead, the study will take one year to complete. It would then be handed over to the Phuket Provincial Office. The estimated budget for the study is US$4 million (more than 122.8 million baht). The offshore facility includes the installation of a concrete platform beneath the sea just offshore, which part of the development would be built upon. LMG Marin representative Natthasak Songserm told Gov Tri that construction of such a platform would not be detrimental to the local environment. “Offshore development needs high end technology and LMG Marin can meet that qualification. A development at Saphan Hin will help boost tourism,” said Mr Natthasak. While agreeing with the need to add value to Phuket's tourism industry, Gov Tri refused to give the pre-feasibility study the go ahead at this time, saying he first needs to gauge opinion among other Phuket officials and the local residents of Saphan Hin. [g]2011-01-10[/pg] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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