The government committee responsible for reviving the tourism sector in Thailand`s southern Andaman region following the 26 December`s tsunamis has declared…
The government committee responsible for reviving the tourism sector in Thailand`s southern Andaman region following the 26 December`s tsunamis has declared the beaches of Patong, Kamala, Khao Lak and Koh Phi Phi to be an urgent restoration zone, Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop revealed today.
The zone, which will bring together the Patong and Kamala Beaches on the island of Phuket, the badly battered Phang-nga resort of Khao Lak and the entire island of Koh Phi Phi, aims at kick-starting a tourism sector made moribund as a result of the tsunami which cost the region thousands of lives.
Mr. Suwat said that the committee had also agreed on the construction of a conference centre and a tsunami memorial on the resort island of Phuket.
These plans will be combined with a long-term tourism revival plan from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to develop the Phuket Airport, roads linking Ranong and Satun provinces, a tourist marine safety project spearheaded by the Navy, and the development of the region`s national parks.
All the plans will be discussed by the committee again on Monday, before being put before the Cabinet.
The details of the plans will be thrashed out this weekend when the committee`s secretary meets with officials in the affected region.
The deputy prime minister indicated a wide level of support for a marine safety initiative, which would encompass the use of speedboats, a move which comes after several tourists were killed last month when their speedboat capsized off the Surat Thani coast.
Mr. Suwat also spoke of support for the establishment of emergency medical units, the improvement of communications and constant marine surveillance operations.
The proposed conference centre on Phuket, to be constructed at a cost of around Bt1.5 billion, will have a capacity of 3,000-5,000.
The government has said that if the private sector is not prepared to invest in the project, it will stump up the money itself.
It is likely that the venue will be built in the Nai Yang National Park, which lies conveniently close to the Phuket Airport.
The airport is currently embroiled in a dispute between the Airports of Thailand Public Co., Ltd. and the TAT over a proposal to reduce landing fees and airport taxes in order to boost tourism in the island province.
Although the Airports of Thailand Public Co., Ltd. has yet to agree to the proposal, the TAT has brokered a separate deal with the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, which will see national parks on the island offering free admission to both Thais and foreigners until April.
In addition, the TAT is negotiating with the private sector for the establishment of low-duty shops on the island, a project which will help fulfil the government`s long-held dream of turning Phuket into a duty-free paradise.
Legal issues currently prevent the opening of fully duty free shops which could serve Thais, as well as foreigners.
Mr. Suwat said that a conclusion on this and other deals, including the promotion of the southern region for civil service conferences, would be made next week.
Asked how long it would take to revive the region`s tourism sector, Mr. Suwat admitted that few people were satisfied with the TAT`s target of developing Patong Beach over a year, saying that 3-6 months was a better timeframe.
The quicker the restoration, the less damage the tourism industry would suffer, he said.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
