THE FUTURE of Phuket Gateway, the 48-million baht ''Welcome to Phuket'' that nobody says Hello to, is now in the hands of the local people of Mai Khao.
Newly-elected president of the Orborjor, Paiboon Upatising, has told local leaders that he wants to find a practical use for the wasted development.
The local leaders have now begun asking Mai Khao residents for ideas to put the ostentatious project to better use.
''The time has come for leaders to stop giving people projects they do not want,'' Khun Paiboon said.
Phuket Gateway sits close to the Thepkrasattri Bridge that carries vehicles from the mainland to Phuket.
The Gateway was intended to be a stopping place where visitors could learn a little about the island's character, culture and history.
But nearly everyone rushes straight on past to their hotel or resort. The carpark seldom has a vehicle in it.
Constructed in the time of his predecessor, Anchalee Vanich Tephabutra, and opened as part of the 80th birthday celebrations for the King, Phuket Gateway turned out to raise more questions than it answered.
The biggest question: why was it built in the first place?
The design is actually quite good, it's just that nobody uses it. About 1000 elderly people from around Phuket did attend a ''soft opening'' last year. A fashion parade marked the grand opening late last year.
Khun Paiboon won election over Khun Anchalee on April 21.
The Gateway consists of six offices, areas for stalls selling OTOP (One Tambon One Product) goods, 29 seven-meter-tall concrete pillars carrying passages explaining Phuket???????????????????????????????s history in Thai and English, and a 21.8-metre granite sculpture.
Construction began in 2005 on 25 rai, about 300 metres south of the bridge.
What should be done with the Phuket Gateway? Give us your suggestions now!
Related Article:
Fresh Water, Help Line: New President's Wish List
Newly-elected president of the Orborjor, Paiboon Upatising, has told local leaders that he wants to find a practical use for the wasted development.
The local leaders have now begun asking Mai Khao residents for ideas to put the ostentatious project to better use.
''The time has come for leaders to stop giving people projects they do not want,'' Khun Paiboon said.
Phuket Gateway sits close to the Thepkrasattri Bridge that carries vehicles from the mainland to Phuket.
The Gateway was intended to be a stopping place where visitors could learn a little about the island's character, culture and history.
But nearly everyone rushes straight on past to their hotel or resort. The carpark seldom has a vehicle in it.
Constructed in the time of his predecessor, Anchalee Vanich Tephabutra, and opened as part of the 80th birthday celebrations for the King, Phuket Gateway turned out to raise more questions than it answered.
The biggest question: why was it built in the first place?
The design is actually quite good, it's just that nobody uses it. About 1000 elderly people from around Phuket did attend a ''soft opening'' last year. A fashion parade marked the grand opening late last year.
Khun Paiboon won election over Khun Anchalee on April 21.
The Gateway consists of six offices, areas for stalls selling OTOP (One Tambon One Product) goods, 29 seven-meter-tall concrete pillars carrying passages explaining Phuket???????????????????????????????s history in Thai and English, and a 21.8-metre granite sculpture.
Construction began in 2005 on 25 rai, about 300 metres south of the bridge.
What should be done with the Phuket Gateway? Give us your suggestions now!
Related Article:
Fresh Water, Help Line: New President's Wish List
