A LARGE billion-baht amusement park with public gardens covering up to 300 rai is being proposed for Kathu, in the centre of the island.
The development would include several themes, including a waterpark, a walk-through aviary and extensive flower gardens.
The proposal is an attempt by Kathu to offer destinations for tourists away from the beaches on the west coast. Attractions will be added over five years as money becomes available.
The first attraction, the tin mine museum, built at a cost of 50.6 million baht, is almost finished and will soon be ready to open -- except for one important detail. There are no exhibits yet,inside or outside.
Apart from the museum, the 300-rai development is the latest in a list of private and public projects, including a large conference centre at a yet-to-be announced site, that will see a boom in construction on Phuket and in neighboring Phang Nga over the next few years.
Having gone for decades without a waterpark of any kind, Phuket is now likely to have several rival projects of varying sizes under construction over the next few years.
The Chairman of the Kathu tessaban, Prasert Kaokitpaisan, said the Kathu projects would be rolled out progressively across the 300 rai.
"I hope it will be an attractive place for people to enjoy many of the good things about Kathu," he told the Post.
Meanwhile, a competition is underway to determine a private contractor to manage the tin mine museum, and an appeal is being held for the public to supply tin mine memorabilia.
Along with the Big Buddha and the Phuket Gateway, the museum was built to mark the birthday tribute celebrations for HM The King.
However, at present there is a brand new museum building, with a large spacious entranceway and exhibition room to spare, but no budget for more.
A decision by the Kathu tessaban could provide the money needed for exhibitions inside the museum.
A decision could come after the national election. The existing budget for the building is still being used for finishing touches valued at about 15 million baht.
It is hoped the museum will eventually be opened sometime in 2008.
The museum has been built to replicate the spacious home of a tin mine owner from the early 20th century.
The intention is to set up exhibits inside that show what life was like and how life changed as the tin mines brought the first wave of prosperity to the island.
Sommai Pinputtasin, advisor on the museum project and a retired professor, says: "I hope the museum will become an education centre for people wanting to learn about Phuket's history."
The tin mine is located off the road leading to Loch Palm Golf Club.
Anyone with memorabilia for the tin mine museum should contact Ajarn Sommai on 076-322134.
The development would include several themes, including a waterpark, a walk-through aviary and extensive flower gardens.
The proposal is an attempt by Kathu to offer destinations for tourists away from the beaches on the west coast. Attractions will be added over five years as money becomes available.
The first attraction, the tin mine museum, built at a cost of 50.6 million baht, is almost finished and will soon be ready to open -- except for one important detail. There are no exhibits yet,inside or outside.
Apart from the museum, the 300-rai development is the latest in a list of private and public projects, including a large conference centre at a yet-to-be announced site, that will see a boom in construction on Phuket and in neighboring Phang Nga over the next few years.
Having gone for decades without a waterpark of any kind, Phuket is now likely to have several rival projects of varying sizes under construction over the next few years.
The Chairman of the Kathu tessaban, Prasert Kaokitpaisan, said the Kathu projects would be rolled out progressively across the 300 rai.
"I hope it will be an attractive place for people to enjoy many of the good things about Kathu," he told the Post.
Meanwhile, a competition is underway to determine a private contractor to manage the tin mine museum, and an appeal is being held for the public to supply tin mine memorabilia.
Along with the Big Buddha and the Phuket Gateway, the museum was built to mark the birthday tribute celebrations for HM The King.
However, at present there is a brand new museum building, with a large spacious entranceway and exhibition room to spare, but no budget for more.
A decision by the Kathu tessaban could provide the money needed for exhibitions inside the museum.
A decision could come after the national election. The existing budget for the building is still being used for finishing touches valued at about 15 million baht.
It is hoped the museum will eventually be opened sometime in 2008.
The museum has been built to replicate the spacious home of a tin mine owner from the early 20th century.
The intention is to set up exhibits inside that show what life was like and how life changed as the tin mines brought the first wave of prosperity to the island.
Sommai Pinputtasin, advisor on the museum project and a retired professor, says: "I hope the museum will become an education centre for people wanting to learn about Phuket's history."
The tin mine is located off the road leading to Loch Palm Golf Club.
Anyone with memorabilia for the tin mine museum should contact Ajarn Sommai on 076-322134.
