PHUKET: The residents of Patong have rejected a plan to build a tourist centre for about 26 million baht because it would eat up space in Loma Park.
Thailand's Tourism and Sport Department was in the process of creating the budget for the building, which would also house the Tourist Police and become a ''Patong landmark,'' according to the department's director general.
Mayor Chalermlak took on the difficult process yesterday of rejecting a government handout.
She said Loma Park was an important place for locals to gather at special times and the proposed building would divide the large open public space and diminish its importance.
Public land in Patong, as in other parts of Phuket, has been increasingly consumed by community buildings.
Although the Tourism and Sport Department would fund construction, the Patong municipality would have to meet running costs.
Mayor Chalermlak told the governor yesterday that, given the resistance of locals, she feared the project had the makings of a ''ghost building.''
The governor told the mayor that she should write a letter formally rejecting the proposal.
Thailand's Tourism and Sport Department was in the process of creating the budget for the building, which would also house the Tourist Police and become a ''Patong landmark,'' according to the department's director general.
Mayor Chalermlak took on the difficult process yesterday of rejecting a government handout.
She said Loma Park was an important place for locals to gather at special times and the proposed building would divide the large open public space and diminish its importance.
Public land in Patong, as in other parts of Phuket, has been increasingly consumed by community buildings.
Although the Tourism and Sport Department would fund construction, the Patong municipality would have to meet running costs.
Mayor Chalermlak told the governor yesterday that, given the resistance of locals, she feared the project had the makings of a ''ghost building.''
The governor told the mayor that she should write a letter formally rejecting the proposal.
i can recall when they originally built the complex in loma park it was going to be used for administration.of course it is now restaurants with a gym on top.also the beautiful fountain out side which is now defunct
Posted by bondi on January 16, 2015 14:48