Mr. Rachan Meenoi, Head of Krabi Provincial Office chaired the first public hearing meeting on the draft planning study for the development of a large cruise terminal, a large port on the Andaman coast. Government agencies, the private sector and the public were welcomed and attended the meeting at the Phanom Bencha Conference Room, Krabi City Hall. Today, a representative from the government, a representative from the local government organization, private sector entrepreneurs, media, community leaders and other stakeholders joined to listen and exchange their opinions. The consulting firm will submit the project’s EHIA report to the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Planning Policy (ONRP) for review and comment.
Mr. Wiwat Chidchertwong, director of the regional port office, said the Navy Department has hired a group of consulting firms to conduct the two analytical studies to select the right area and to study the economic suitability. With regard to architecture, engineering, environment, the Navy Department wants to hire a consulting firm.
The director of the Regional Port Office said the marine department is an agency under the Ministry of Transportation whose mission is to develop the port to meet the needs of the use in terms of trade, transportation, and marine traffic related to other transportation systems especially to support recreational tourism. The waterways generate income for the country especially since before the pandemic, cruise tourism has tended to grow so it can generate a lot of income for the country. Thailand wants to be a quality cruise destination and meet international standards to generate income for the country and the tourist area of the Andaman Sea provinces.
