UPDATE
Karon Municipality announced on Saturday that work on a large pool on the Karon beachfront had begun. To be called Karon Park, it's one of 12 projects designed to revitalise the region at a cost of 40 million baht.
Original Report
ERECTION of a giant pool at Phuket's Karon beach is believed to have been part of a campaign to highlight the appeal for tourists to visit the seaside at Kata-Karon.
One member of a committee involved in discussions for a ''Kata Karon Heaven on Earth'' campaign, to be revealed to the public on Saturday, has told Phuketwan that a giant pool beside the beach in central Karon was discussed - much to his surprise and horror.
''It sounded more like Hell on Earth than Heaven on Earth to me,'' he told Phuketwan yesterday.
Whether the giant pool is still part of the plan will be revealed at the Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort and Spa on Saturday when the Mayor of Karon, Tawee Tongcham, unvelis the committee's Heaven on Earth plans.
Listening will be Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha, Tourism Authority of Thailand Regional Director Bangornrat Shinaprayoon, the President of the Hotels Association of Kata Karon, Somchai Sinlaparon, and other dignitaries.
Phuketwan understands the giant pool has been proposed for near the landmark gold sculpture in the centre of the four-kilometre stretch of beach.
The reputation of Karon beach, once listed by Lonely Planet as the No. 4 Best Family beach in the World, has suffered from a spate of tourist drownings in the past few years.
The beach is not so risky during the December-April high season, when the dangerous ''rips'' are not present.
The committee member said yesterday: ''Improving the service and the knowledge of the taxi and tuk-tuk drivers who operate in Kata-Karon would help to make the region more appealing. So would better standards in water quality and control.
''Some of the water that runs into the sea at the beach is badly polluted.''
The Kata Karon Heaven on Earth announcement begins on Saturday at 10am when media registers for the gathering. A five-minute video follows.
The mayor then speaks for 10 minutes, followed by Governor Tri, Khun Bangornrat, and spokespeople for several banks.
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I never heard in my life such a idiot idea... till I not calculate how much cement will be used to built it.. And do someone have an idea how much traffic, disorder and noise will make this horrific project for a couple of years???
Posted by Richard on April 7, 2011 15:31