In their wildest dreams
Lom Plien Thit wrote in Thai Rath yesterday about the two dreams floated by the government during a meeting with the private sector on Wednesday. The government’s two dreams are: Turning Bangkok into the “Dubai of the East” and making Phuket the “Riviera of Asia”.
The writer praised the two ideas but said they can only be realised if the government stops dreaming and starts acting.
He said the ideas could be realised without much difficulty and, if successfully implemented, would promote tourism and bring in much needed foreign money.
Thailand is centrally located in the Asean geographical area and also at the centre of the Mekong River basin. It already boasts huge shopping centres such as Siam Paragon and Central World, Lom said.
Compared with Dubai, Bangkok’s city plan is nowhere near as complete, the buildings are not attractive and we have to do more to promote world-class sports and business events, said the writer.
As far as Phuket is concerned, Lom pointed out that the resort island is already equipped with ports for luxurious yachts, beautiful beaches and many five-star hotels. All the dream of turning Phuket into the “Riviera of Asia” needs is a little push from the government to raise more of the island’s facilities to international standards.