New Koh Samet Port Opens to the Public

The new port and bridge for Koh Samet island has just opened for public use, after construction was temporarily halted due a problem with building permits. Local officials presided over the grand opening. A budget of 170 million THB was designated to design and build the new facility.

RAYONG – December 21, 2012, [PDN]; Opening ceremonies were held for the new Koh Samet port and bridge, with a group of local government official traveling by speedboat from Ban Phe port for the occasion.

The co-chairmen for the opening ceremony were Mr. Vichit Chartpaisit, Rayong Provincial Governor; and Mr. Piya Pitutecha, chairman of the Provincial Administration Organization.

Earlier, a controversy arose when the Department of Wild Animal Parks and Breeding of Plants had halted construction of the project, because the builder had not secured a building permit that required prior screening and approval from the parks department.

The parks department was also concerned because an Environmental Impact Assessment had not been done prior to construction. The matter became urgent after local officials had set a deadline to shut down the old port and bridge being used because of unsafe conditions.

However, the EIA later requested permission from the parks department for approval to continue to build the new Koh Samet port bridge until it was finished, and permission was granted.

Because the new port and bridge is the only gateway from Koh Samet island to the mainland, the urgency of the matter expedited the process of approval and construction, so local business and people that depend on the port bridge would not be adversely affected.

Full story: http://www.pattayada...-to-the-public/

-- Pattaya Daily News 2012-12-22

another beautiful place in LOS .has now gone,though it has for many years,money greed and Russians,no disrespect to the Russians,but smile please