Pattaya moves forward with Thappraya Royal Park

[Rimmer]

Pattaya moves forward with Thappraya Royal Park

PATTAYA:--Pattaya will move forward with plans to turn a large section of Pratamnak Hill into an ecological tourist attraction, but stressed the process will be gradual over three years.

At the second public hearing on the Thappraya Royal Park Feb. 2, consultancy Feel Green Design Co Ltd., which won the 6 million baht city contract for the feasibility and project study, said improvements on existing features would come first, followed by construction of new attractions and, finally, improvements to the religious areas.

Thappraya Royal Park would feature tram tracks, cycling routes, walking and wheelchair paths and viewpoints to overlook the city and bay. Undeveloped land there covers both mounts in the area and over 285 rai, including the area near the Tourist Police station that has already been converted into a park.

At a November hearing, the consultants were told they needed to take into account the impacts on the environment, public-utility management, traffic, cleanliness and safety of the area, and the income distribution in communities.

Last week it showed off the results, with virtual illustrations of what it called a world-class tourist destination.

Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome said the project study will take 10 months. Construction then would take another three or more years.

The city will carry out the projects that have the highest benefit and that the public want the most first while the rest will be gradually carried out. Landscape improvements can be carried out first, he said, but construction will have to wait as it requires large budgets.

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-- Pattaya Mail 2015-02-13