BIG things are happening in Krabi. Construction is about to begin on a bridge that will link two of the province's appealing islands, Koh Lanta Noi and Koh Lanta Yai.
The bridge will stretch across 600 metres and cost a large portion of a total budget of 400 million baht for a transport upgrade, the Governor of Krabi, Siwa Sirisoawaluk, told Phuketwan.
Phuket's neighboring province across Phang Nga Bay will also gain an improved ferry service between the mainland and Koh Lanta Noi, doing away with the need for two ferry rides when crossing to the more popular Lanta Yai.
If gossip on Koh Lanta Yai is anything to go by, a cable car could follow the bridge connection. But the governor did not mention the cable car when we talked.
''Lanta will be a rising star as a tourist attraction in the region once the bridge is completed,'' the governor said.
Lanta Yai has the better infrastructure and retail outlets and the bridge will allow greater access and movement between both islands.
The mainland is not being forgotten, either, with a marina planned for Krabi Town, the governor said.
The budget has been fixed at 50 million baht and the environmental impact study is underway.
If it gets the go-ahead, the marina will be finished within four years and give the yachting community a place to dock virtually in the heart of Krabi Town.
Plans are underway to bring the ageing Royal Navy vessel Lanta to the marina to become a floating museum and another symbol of the province.
Occupancy in Krabi averaged out to about 85 percent in high season 2007-2008, the governor said. But it slipped severely, especially after the Bangkok blockade.
The governor has plenty of ideas for attracting fit and healthy tourists to the region, including the Andaman Adventure Games.
The Games would involve competitors starting with a run on Phuket, swimming across to Phang Nga near the Sarasin Bridge, then riding a mountain bike to Krabi.
There, they would be able to enjoy a bit of mountain climbing and canoeing. Survivors would then be able to find some extra enjoy to enjoy a beach party.
The governor says a budget of three million baht has already been set aside for the three-provinces survivor test.
''We are talking about getting more flights direct to Krabi from Thai Airways,'' he said. ''We are looking at offering lower prices on boat trips to Lanta or to the other small islands, and Phi Phi, too.''
He said Krabi was in reasonable shape to handle this year's predicted economic downturn, with jobs available on rubber and date palm plantations for anyone who finds themselves laid off by resorts.
''I am trying to organise special loans for resort owners in case they need help,'' he said.
Phuketwan found a glorious white temple nearing completion in Krabi Town. The provincial centre always provides a pleasant change and has a more relaxed feeling than heavily populated Phuket.
The governor said Wat Keaw would also include a Buddhism library, the biggest in the south.
The high season walking street evenings in Krabi Town had won praise from tourists and locals and would be repeated in 2009-2010 to help retail outlets cope, he said.
''Krabi does not want beer bars, just good quality tourists,'' the governor said. He moved to Krabi from Phuket, where he was a vice governor.
''People will pay a fair price for good services and accommodation,'' he said. ''We don't have to discount.''
Resorts consultant Bill Barnett of Phuket-based C9 Hotelworks sees Krabi in relation to Phuket as akin to Bali and its more remote and smaller neighboring island of Lombok.
''There are not enough tourism generators there yet,'' he said. ''They don't have marinas and they don't have sufficient golf courses.
''There is not the entertainment or the shopping.
''Krabi is probably three to five years away from developing more impetus.''
He said Krabi relied heavily in season on European visitors.
''Phuket is more international, too, in terms of investment,'' he said. ''Krabi has taken a 'smaller is better' approach.
''But it will have to embrace a wider scale of development. Something has to give there.''
The bridge will stretch across 600 metres and cost a large portion of a total budget of 400 million baht for a transport upgrade, the Governor of Krabi, Siwa Sirisoawaluk, told Phuketwan.
Phuket's neighboring province across Phang Nga Bay will also gain an improved ferry service between the mainland and Koh Lanta Noi, doing away with the need for two ferry rides when crossing to the more popular Lanta Yai.
If gossip on Koh Lanta Yai is anything to go by, a cable car could follow the bridge connection. But the governor did not mention the cable car when we talked.
''Lanta will be a rising star as a tourist attraction in the region once the bridge is completed,'' the governor said.
Lanta Yai has the better infrastructure and retail outlets and the bridge will allow greater access and movement between both islands.
The mainland is not being forgotten, either, with a marina planned for Krabi Town, the governor said.
The budget has been fixed at 50 million baht and the environmental impact study is underway.
If it gets the go-ahead, the marina will be finished within four years and give the yachting community a place to dock virtually in the heart of Krabi Town.
Plans are underway to bring the ageing Royal Navy vessel Lanta to the marina to become a floating museum and another symbol of the province.
Occupancy in Krabi averaged out to about 85 percent in high season 2007-2008, the governor said. But it slipped severely, especially after the Bangkok blockade.
The governor has plenty of ideas for attracting fit and healthy tourists to the region, including the Andaman Adventure Games.
The Games would involve competitors starting with a run on Phuket, swimming across to Phang Nga near the Sarasin Bridge, then riding a mountain bike to Krabi.
There, they would be able to enjoy a bit of mountain climbing and canoeing. Survivors would then be able to find some extra enjoy to enjoy a beach party.
The governor says a budget of three million baht has already been set aside for the three-provinces survivor test.
''We are talking about getting more flights direct to Krabi from Thai Airways,'' he said. ''We are looking at offering lower prices on boat trips to Lanta or to the other small islands, and Phi Phi, too.''
He said Krabi was in reasonable shape to handle this year's predicted economic downturn, with jobs available on rubber and date palm plantations for anyone who finds themselves laid off by resorts.
''I am trying to organise special loans for resort owners in case they need help,'' he said.
Phuketwan found a glorious white temple nearing completion in Krabi Town. The provincial centre always provides a pleasant change and has a more relaxed feeling than heavily populated Phuket.
The governor said Wat Keaw would also include a Buddhism library, the biggest in the south.
The high season walking street evenings in Krabi Town had won praise from tourists and locals and would be repeated in 2009-2010 to help retail outlets cope, he said.
''Krabi does not want beer bars, just good quality tourists,'' the governor said. He moved to Krabi from Phuket, where he was a vice governor.
''People will pay a fair price for good services and accommodation,'' he said. ''We don't have to discount.''
Resorts consultant Bill Barnett of Phuket-based C9 Hotelworks sees Krabi in relation to Phuket as akin to Bali and its more remote and smaller neighboring island of Lombok.
''There are not enough tourism generators there yet,'' he said. ''They don't have marinas and they don't have sufficient golf courses.
''There is not the entertainment or the shopping.
''Krabi is probably three to five years away from developing more impetus.''
He said Krabi relied heavily in season on European visitors.
''Phuket is more international, too, in terms of investment,'' he said. ''Krabi has taken a 'smaller is better' approach.
''But it will have to embrace a wider scale of development. Something has to give there.''
Everything was fine in this article until I read "they don't have sufficient golf courses". Ok, go on wasting water, build more shopping centers, go the way Phuket did. You will be sorry in a few years time.
Posted by Fritz Pinguin on February 24, 2009 09:11