THAILAND'S Cabinet decided this week to invest billions more in tourism and agriculture, businesswoman and former Phuket politician Anchalee Vanich said today on a Phuket visit.
''There is a good chance of Phuket achieving everything it needs,'' said Khun Anchalee, who this year became the first Thai woman to serve as secretary-general to a prime minister. ''Phuket people need to decide what they want to be and what they want to do.''
The timing had never been better for Phuket to determine its own future and achieve infrastructure funding, she said.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand had announced earlier today that 15.5 million tourists visited Thailand in 2010 and one in three of those would spend time in the Andaman region, she said.
''Phuket is the welcoming lobby for the rest of the country,'' she said. ''The PM is very concerned about development. Phuket grows every day, day by day.
''If someone has not been here for two years then returns, you can see how much it has changed.''
The speed of Phuket development and its difference with the rest of the country was specifically discussed at Tuesday's Cabinet gathering, she said.
Phuket has 10 billion baht being spent in large infrastructure projects, including 5.7 billion for the enlarged Phuket International Airport, she said. ''The airport enlargement will be on time because the budget has been locked in to delivering on schedule,'' she added.
The 2.6 billion baht sports complex set for Mai Khao in northern Phuket will be fully contracted before September, she said. ''Don't think about it only for Phuket,'' she said. ''It will also be shared by Phang Nga and Krabi.''
On the issue of Phuket's rival Bali declaring a moratorium on hotel construction, she told Phuketwan that Phuket people needed to clarify for themselves what was required, both within Thailand and in the broader context of the entire Asean region.
While Phuket needed to improve its public transport, the future of Phuket could be dramatically changed within the space of five years, she said.
Khun Anchalee flew back to Bangkok after joining Patong Mayor Pian Keesin and other prominent local officials in opening the 29.4 million baht Patong Municipality Child Care Centre II in Prabaramee Road.
Phuket Dive Reefs Rescue Plan Aims for Quotas, Zones, Controls''There is a good chance of Phuket achieving everything it needs,'' said Khun Anchalee, who this year became the first Thai woman to serve as secretary-general to a prime minister. ''Phuket people need to decide what they want to be and what they want to do.''
The timing had never been better for Phuket to determine its own future and achieve infrastructure funding, she said.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand had announced earlier today that 15.5 million tourists visited Thailand in 2010 and one in three of those would spend time in the Andaman region, she said.
''Phuket is the welcoming lobby for the rest of the country,'' she said. ''The PM is very concerned about development. Phuket grows every day, day by day.
''If someone has not been here for two years then returns, you can see how much it has changed.''
The speed of Phuket development and its difference with the rest of the country was specifically discussed at Tuesday's Cabinet gathering, she said.
Phuket has 10 billion baht being spent in large infrastructure projects, including 5.7 billion for the enlarged Phuket International Airport, she said. ''The airport enlargement will be on time because the budget has been locked in to delivering on schedule,'' she added.
The 2.6 billion baht sports complex set for Mai Khao in northern Phuket will be fully contracted before September, she said. ''Don't think about it only for Phuket,'' she said. ''It will also be shared by Phang Nga and Krabi.''
On the issue of Phuket's rival Bali declaring a moratorium on hotel construction, she told Phuketwan that Phuket people needed to clarify for themselves what was required, both within Thailand and in the broader context of the entire Asean region.
While Phuket needed to improve its public transport, the future of Phuket could be dramatically changed within the space of five years, she said.
Khun Anchalee flew back to Bangkok after joining Patong Mayor Pian Keesin and other prominent local officials in opening the 29.4 million baht Patong Municipality Child Care Centre II in Prabaramee Road.
Reefs Rescue A strategy to zone coral reefs for scuba diving and snorkelling, to set quotas and time limits, and to properly train group guides emerges at a key Khao Lak seminar.
Phuket Dive Reefs Rescue Plan Aims for Quotas, Zones, Controls
Phuket to Add More Than 2000 Resort Rooms in 2011
Latest Phuket is gaining more than 2000 resort rooms in 2011. What are the prospects of a moratorium on resort building, as in Bali? It's not possible under Thai law, say experts.
Phuket to Add More Than 2000 Resort Rooms in 2011
UNHCR Given Access to Thailand's Captive Boatpeople
Latest As concern mounts about whether one group of boatpeople have been pushed back in peril at sea by Thai authorities, the UN's refugee agency gains permission to access 135 others.
UNHCR Given Access to Thailand's Captive Boatpeople
Phuket Lost Girl: Parents Post 20,000 Baht Reward
Latest Cupid may have struck at a Phuket temple fair shooting gallery however anxious parents have now posted a 20,000 baht reward for information leading to their missing young daughter.
Phuket Lost Girl: Parents Post 20,000 Baht Reward
Phuket Governor to Fly from India for Hon Con's Meeting
Latest Phuket's governor is on the pilgrimage of a lifetime to some of the holy shrines that are part of the life and teachings of Buddha. More practical expat concerns await on his return.
Phuket Governor to Fly from India for Hon Con's Meeting
According to the story posted a few days ago, it looks like the younger generation of Phuket knows what they want to be. I think the headline was something like "Phuket Kids 'Mini-Mafia' Gangs Shock Governor, Police" where it is said that "GANGS of boys and girls from all over Phuket are combining in a ''mini-mafia'' to distribute drugs, make hand-made guns, sell sex and terrorise neighborhoods, a meeting at Phuket City was told today.
One group, the KB Club, had 724 members as at October 31and drew its membership from children as young as seven years old. They graduated with age to become more hardened criminals, the meeting was told."
Looks like Phuket has already sealed it's future. Between Thai TV and watching how their parents act, they are well on the way to a Fruitful Career.
Posted by Anonymous on February 10, 2011 13:15