Huge Development Of Phuket Bay At Saphan Hin

[NBT TV Phuket]

to see photos & mini-video including footage of proposed project, go to http://www.thaisnews.com/news_detail.php?newsid=163316

Officials, representatives from tourism businesses and local administrative bodies, including the Phuket City Mayor and Vice President of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization, met and discussed the proposed development of Ao Phuket or Phuket Bay at Saphan Hin area. The meeting, held at Royal Phuket City hotel, was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop.

The Phuket Bay development was initiated 17 years ago and was dusted off several times without much obvious development. 3 years ago, in 2003, the then Department of Public Works or now the Town and Country Planning hired a consultant company to conduct a feasibility study and come up with conceptual design plan. The project development focuses on 3 major themes, MICE or Meeting Incentive Convention and Exhibition, Marina, Health Tourism and Spa with main purposes to make the tourism industry in the region sustainable and boost Phuket Island as a world class destination. At present the tourism industry can only run for half of a year while the other half - the low season - is quiet.

During the past years of 2004 until last year the project was discussed with the support of Phuket Governor Udomsak Uswarangura until it gained cabinet approval in principle to develop the Phuket Bay by land reclamation from the sea area which used to be a mining site. This was in September last year, during a mobile cabinet meeting in Phang-Nga. The Phuket Governor told the meeting yesterday on Wednesday that there are 4- 5 companies showing their interest in investing in the project while the local authority still awaits consultation from the central government. During the meeting Deputy Prime Minister Suwat rechecked the local attitudes towards the project, especially the local administration organization leaders as they represent the local residents and also representatives from local businesses. He concluded that key local figures agreed with the project development while 3 key issues need to be studied.

The conceptual design plan, resulted from the Town and Country Planning Department states that the project will cover 3,200 rai area comprising several zones, clearly divided with major projects of exhibition and convention centre, marina, and entertainment, with comprehensive transport and communication networks. According to the study, the project needs a capital investment of 63,000 million baht.

But Mr. Suwat stressed that the project will be beneficial to local people in Phuket.

The next meeting session will take place in Bangkok, probably in one month’s time. Public relations to keep the public informed of its development will also be a priority as proposed by the Governor of Phuket who emphasized local participation in this huge international-standard facility proposed to be developed in their home town.

from Special Report for Andaman News TV11 + Radio Thailand FM90.5 Phuket City, broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, 8.30am Thursday 23 February 2006 & www.Thaisnews.com