Thailand to develop a huge marina in Chon Buri

BANGKOK: Thailand is looking at developing a huge marina in Chon Buri province as part of the efforts to boost revenue through tourism.

The Transport Ministry announced that it would study a marine development project in the Bang Sare area in Sattahip district in the province.

Permanent secretary for transport, Chayathan Promsorn, said the area has been earmarked by the Marine Department to become a new harbour for luxury vessels.

According to a Bangkok Post report, he said the study was divided into three phases, and they would look into possible locations for the marina, as well as study the economic benefits and environmental issues, including coastal erosion and beach restoration.

The first phase of the study is expected to take about four months to complete, and it will gather information for selection of the project location, project design and beach rehabilitation.

The second phase is expected to be completed in 150 days or in August.

It will look into engineering, economic and financial upsides, environmental concerns and also gather local opinion.

The final phase involves beach replenishment plans and an environment impact assessment, said Chayathan.

He said the authorities in the project had also been instructed to collect details on foreign yachts entering Thai waters for analysis.

He said the Bang Sare marina project was in line with the ministry’s policy to improve the country’s maritime transport and logistics system.

He said this would help bolster the country’s efforts to become the region’s transport and logistics hub as well as raise its competitiveness.

However, Minister Saksayam Chidchobhad said input from local people, and the impact on their livelihoods and the environment must also be considered during the planning stages.

Marine Department figures showed that Thailand now has 13 tourist ports that can be classified as marinas.

Eight are along the Andaman Sea, four in the eastern region and one in the western province of Prachuap Khiri Khan.

The project is being planned as tourists travelling on yachts have high purchasing power and this will propel tourism in the eastern region of the country.

Apart from the marina, a cruise liner port project is also on the government’s tourism development list.

The Bang Sare marina project is in line with the ministry’s policy to improve the country’s maritime transport and logistics system. CHAYATHAN PROMSORN Permanent secretary for transport, Transport Ministry