Plan to Develop Ports for Yachts and Cruise Liners

[Lite Beer]

Plan to Develop Ports for Yachts and Cruise Liners

PHUKET: -- The Cabinet has approved the action plan for the development of ports for yachts and cruise liners, following a proposal by the Ministry of Transport.

The decision was made during the Cabinet meeting on 28 July 2015, when the Ministry of Transport and the Treasury Department were assigned to speed up the improvement of the Phuket deep sea port, so that it would be ready to accommodate more cruise liners.

According to a report, prepared by the Marine Department, there are currently 11 yacht marinas in Thailand. They are found mainly in Phuket, Krabi, Trat, Chon Buri, and Prachuap Khiri Khan. A study, undertaken by the Department in 2004, showed that 33 locations were suitable for being developed as yacht marinas. Out of this number, 11 are in the Andaman Sea, comprising Ranong, Phang-nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, and Satun. The remaining 22 locations are in the Gulf of Thailand, comprising Samut Prakan, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi, Trat, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla, Pattani, and Narathiwat.

Today, Thailand has no dedicated port for cruise liners. Only three ports, namely Bangkok, Laem Chabang, and Phuket, offer services for cruise liners now. These three ports do not have sufficient facilities in response to the demand of cruise liners, such as immigration, shops, and other services.

Although no port specifically for cruise liners is available in Thailand now, the country has continued to receive many cruise liners coming here for tourism. Most of them have stopped at Bangkok and Laem Chabang ports for about two days on average. They travel mainly between Thailand and Singapore.

The Marine Department has proposed guidelines for the development of ports for yachts and cruise liners. In developing ports for yachts, a study will be conducted on suitable sites for developing more yacht marinas. Public hearings will be held, and market possibilities will be sounded. Related laws and regulations will be amended to facilitate the travel of yachts and their passengers into the country. The amendments will be completed in 2015.

Moreover, a yacht festival will be organized to promote Thailand as a marina hub of ASEAN. The event will be held in Phuket between December 2015 and January 2016. It also aims to create an atmosphere conducive to marine tourism and related businesses, as well as stimulating the country’s economy.

As for the development of ports for cruise liners, in the initial stage, Bangkok and Laem Chabang ports will be improved in response to the demand of cruise liners. The new operator of the Phuket deep sea port will be considered or the concession of the existing operator will be extended, in order that the improvement of the Phuket deep sea port will be carried out soon.

In the second stage, to be implemented from 2015 to 2022, news ports for cruise liners will be developed in Krabi and in Samui district of Surat Thani province to promote Thailand as a home port for cruise liners in this region.

Foreign Office, The Government Public Relations Department, Office of the Prime Minister

[quandow]

Marina hub of ASEAN, education hub of ASEAN, tourism hub of ASEAN - hubba hubba! If they could only get one right . . .

[sawadee1947]

yeah..........maybe they can buy some cruising ships instead of subs......

[elgordo38]

Marina hub of ASEAN, education hub of ASEAN, tourism hub of ASEAN - hubba hubba! If they could only get one right . . .

Build it and they will come.

[spidermike007]

The cabinet has approved. Funny line. A bit like saying we decided that we will start considering the future in our plans. The cabinet, that is part of a line of governments that is famous the world over, for a lack of follow up. Inconsistency, is the one thing that Thai governments throughout history all have in common. Will anything be done with this plan? Well, that is a consideration of the future. The future is such an abstract concept here. On some levels, the Thais are the polar opposite of the Chinese, when it comes to planning, and long term vision.

[robertthebruce]

Next thing, Carnage at Sea.......

[Inepto Cracy]

Very very stupid plan indeed. Do they have any idea that PIMEX eill be held on Phuket at the Royal Phuket Marina on the 7th to the 10th January 2016. This years event in January attracted over 5000 visitors and had Over 50 yachts in the water and over 100 exhibiting brands, including,Rolls-Royce Aston Martin, BMW and Mini.

Do the proposers of this hairbrained scheme have any idea what logistics it takes to get superyachts to sit around and look pretty? I for one doubt very much that the exhibitors and yacht owners will be available to attend a Thai Ministry held event???

No another hub of stupid ideas springs to mind?

Edited August 3, 2015 by Inepto Cracy