Facelift Of Phuket Beaches Delayed

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Facelift of beaches sees delay

PHUKET: -- The landscape-reconstruction project for Phuket’s Patong and Kamal beaches will not be completed in time to host the first-anniversary memorial of the December 26 tsunamis, officials said, but two places will be finished as scheduled.

Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop, critical of the delay, urged local and Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) officials to make haste in finishing the work after his inspection yesterday found that Patong was only 20 per cent complete, and might not be completed in time for the memorial.

The government approved Bt190 million for Patong’s reconstruction and Bt90 million for that of Kamala.

Phuket Governor Udomsak Uswarangkura said he had pressed for the project’s completion and TAT had confirmed it could have two spots ready for the event but not the entire three-kilometre-long project.

“We can certainly host the event but will have to downsize it to two spots for now, and the rest will be completed next year,” he said.

TAT deputy governor Santichai Euachongprasit said bidding for the Kamala Beach project would be held next week and 60 per cent should be complete by the time of the event, in particular the Chalermphrakiat Park area which will host the event.

Earlier Suwat presided over the “To Be My Guest” training of 400 business operators and residents from Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi to arrange home stays for tsunami victims’ relatives and tourists during the anniversary.

Meanwhile Khunying Dhipavadee Meksawan, permanent secretary at the Culture Ministry, said former US presidents Bill Clinton and George HW Bush, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and former US secretary of state Colin Powell would be among VIP guests at the memorial in Phang Nga’s Khao Lak Lamru National Park on December 26.

--The Nation 2005-11-26