PHUKET: The Central Group plans to build a conference centre on Phuket, the Minister for the Prime Minister's Office, Worawat Auapinyakul, said yesterday.
''We have no desire to compete with the private sector,'' he said on a visit to Phuket, explaining why the government had axed the plan for the Phuket International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
His comments were made in advance of a trip to Phuket by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to open the newly-announced Andaman World Experience festival on November 10.
Khun Worawat provided no further details of the Central conference centre plan.
He added, however, that the controversial project for a Phuket International Convention and Exhibition Centre close to Mai Khao, in Phuket's north, had never passed an environmental impact assessment.
''We decided there was no need to sacrifice more of Phuket's mangroves, and to preserve the area as a natural haven for turtles to lay their eggs,'' he said.
''The government is not rethinking the proposal,'' he said. ''The convention and exhibition centre plan for Phuket has been cancelled.''
After 20 years of debate, the centre proposal had finally been given the go-ahead under the Democrat Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who was defeated at the last national election by PM Yingluck and the Pheu Thai party.
The large retail, restaurant and hospitality Central Group owns and runs the Central Festival Phuket shopping mall, and other malls around Thailand. It has also invested in owning or managing resorts under Centara Hotels and Resorts on Phuket.
Prime Minister Yingluck is now scheduled to visit Phuket on November 10 to launch the 'Andaman World Experience' festival, which celebrates the cultures of all six Andaman provinces.
Originally entitled 'Andaman The World Living Legacy,' Phuket won the right to stage the first festival ahead of the other Andaman provinces.
The festival opening will be held at the historic Blue Elephant mansion and restaurant in Phuket City and involve Khun Yingluck and an orchestra, probably with a light show.
All the Andaman provinces are expected to participate in a cavalcade of cultures through the streets of Old Phuket Town, and to offer Andaman cultural insights, souvenirs and local food at booths located in streets near the Blue Elephant.
Phang Nga, Krabi, Satun, Trang and Ranong initially competed with Phuket to hold the festival.
''We have no desire to compete with the private sector,'' he said on a visit to Phuket, explaining why the government had axed the plan for the Phuket International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
His comments were made in advance of a trip to Phuket by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to open the newly-announced Andaman World Experience festival on November 10.
Khun Worawat provided no further details of the Central conference centre plan.
He added, however, that the controversial project for a Phuket International Convention and Exhibition Centre close to Mai Khao, in Phuket's north, had never passed an environmental impact assessment.
''We decided there was no need to sacrifice more of Phuket's mangroves, and to preserve the area as a natural haven for turtles to lay their eggs,'' he said.
''The government is not rethinking the proposal,'' he said. ''The convention and exhibition centre plan for Phuket has been cancelled.''
After 20 years of debate, the centre proposal had finally been given the go-ahead under the Democrat Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who was defeated at the last national election by PM Yingluck and the Pheu Thai party.
The large retail, restaurant and hospitality Central Group owns and runs the Central Festival Phuket shopping mall, and other malls around Thailand. It has also invested in owning or managing resorts under Centara Hotels and Resorts on Phuket.
Prime Minister Yingluck is now scheduled to visit Phuket on November 10 to launch the 'Andaman World Experience' festival, which celebrates the cultures of all six Andaman provinces.
Originally entitled 'Andaman The World Living Legacy,' Phuket won the right to stage the first festival ahead of the other Andaman provinces.
The festival opening will be held at the historic Blue Elephant mansion and restaurant in Phuket City and involve Khun Yingluck and an orchestra, probably with a light show.
All the Andaman provinces are expected to participate in a cavalcade of cultures through the streets of Old Phuket Town, and to offer Andaman cultural insights, souvenirs and local food at booths located in streets near the Blue Elephant.
Phang Nga, Krabi, Satun, Trang and Ranong initially competed with Phuket to hold the festival.
