Chang Island And 51 Nearby Islands Will Be Developed For Sustainable Tourism

[Jai Dee]

Chang Island and 51 nearby islands will be developed for sustainable tourism

A special law may be issued to accommodate the development of Chang (ช้าง) Island and 51 other surrounding islands in Trat Province for sustainable tourism.

Mr. Plodprasop Surasawadi (ปลอดประสบ สุรัสวดี), the chairman of the board of the Administrative Organization of Special Zones for Sustainable Tourism, said Chang and nearby islands have increasingly been popular tourist attractions as the number of visitors has doubled over the past few years.

Mr. Plodprasop said only Chang Island, however, has been developed so a law should be issued to declare surrounding islands special zones for sustainable tourism development.

He further said that the Tourism and Sports Ministry would allocate a budget for long-term development, adding the private sector may be invited to invest in the tourism development there.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 22 June 2006

[boppia]

A few years ago Thaksin said he wanted to develop Koh Chang as something like a high society tourist area. If I remember right he said he didn't want any backpackers around. Well, this fits the plan. Maintaining the environment is a great move in my view but if its just going to be open to wealthy people then forget it. But its the way of the world so I guess Thaksin and all the other MPs will be vacationing there in the future. Thaksin doesn't have a ranch to escape too, does he?

Nothing ever is as good as it seems.

[eugengeri]

I pursue for some time the development between Rayong and Ban Laem (Klaeng).

I hear only speculations over plot prices from Thais. All say here become it thereafter more more expensively - for example 5 star hotel in Pan Bhe. The roads are widened and everything look cleaner every day. Yes that's true. You can see the prices in Koh Samet for example for 20k you can already rent a bungalow for one night (not all).... Yes, start more and more.

[ratcatcher]

Chang Island and 51 nearby islands will be developed for sustainable tourism

A special law may be issued to accommodate the development of Chang (ช้าง) Island and 51 other surrounding islands in Trat Province for sustainable tourism.

Mr. Plodprasop Surasawadi (ปลอดประสบ สุรัสวดี), the chairman of the board of the Administrative Organization of Special Zones for Sustainable Tourism, said Chang and nearby islands have increasingly been popular tourist attractions as the number of visitors has doubled over the past few years.

Mr. Plodprasop said only Chang Island, however, has been developed so a law should be issued to declare surrounding islands special zones for sustainable tourism development.

He further said that the Tourism and Sports Ministry would allocate a budget for long-term development, adding the private sector may be invited to invest in the tourism development there.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 22 June 2006

Good luck to them all. For sustainable tourism, read sustainable greed and corruption. I notice Mr.Plod (he of Chiang Mai Night Safari fame) is involved in this transparent plan.,

No backpackers wanted thanks, only the nouveau riche with their plastic cards and spa needs. The backpackers still contribute a huge amount to the economy of this country, after all, they were the ones that helped Lonely Planet put Thailand firmly on the tourist maps..

However.........when Burma (Myanmar to Thais) eventually opens up, and it will one day, then the greedy speculative Thais can kiss their asses as no doubt when the Mergui Archipelago, just northwest of Ranong, becomes a rated and viable holiday destination, Thailand will seem passe and anyone with the right connections to the Burmese government be it junta or elected, will make a fortune. Hundreds of pristime islands set in a tropical sea. A short flight from Phuket will put you there. So don't worry too much about Koh Chang et al.

[sriracha john]

Chang Island and 51 nearby islands will be developed for sustainable tourism

A special law may be issued to accommodate the development of Chang (ช้าง) Island and 51 other surrounding islands in Trat Province for sustainable tourism.

The "special law" will allow for encroachment on public, protected National Park and Forestry areas which will transform these natural and beautiful areas available to all into crass development to be visited only by those with substantial means transforming these areas into private "Club Meds."

While prohibited by law... the cash-strapped government is grasping to get some inflow of tourism money someplace as their overall numbers continue to slide. The convenient thing is for the government is that they make the laws so that a "special law" is all that is necessary to exempt any area they choose.

Mr. Plodprasop Surasawadi (ปลอดประสบ สุรัสวดี), the chairman of the board of the Administrative Organization of Special Zones for Sustainable Tourism,

Why this environmental rapist has not been jailed already for the fiascos at Chiang Mai is but a testament to his government connections who enjoy his exploitation of natural resources and his ability to convert these protected areas into money-making schemes.

He further said that the Tourism and Sports Ministry would allocate a budget for long-term development, adding the private sector may be invited to invest in the tourism development there.

...and that while the private sector "may be" invited, it is highly unlikely as the government cronies have far too much money to be made over their insider land transfer deals and buying up of protected areas... the only non-government sector allowed to get in on the ground floor of these land speculations are the relatives and friends of the big insiders.

So it's steal the land that belongs to every citizen in the form of National Park... chop it all up for disbursements to individual "Club Meds" and the resulting few government insiders getting filthy rich.... all at the expense of the average citizen.... who is now no longer able to visit "His/Her" National Park, because a room there is 9,000 baht a night.

THAT is what constitutes the "development" in the thread title.