The call came after Thai Prime Minister, general Surayud Chulanont, announced thegovernment was ready to support infrastructure and transportation projects to helppromote tourism in six Adaman coastal provinces.The six provinces are Phuket, Krabi, Phang-nga, Trang, Satun and Ranong.According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the plan to build the project has beenunder study for nearly ten years in a bid to position Phuket as a year-round destination.The initial project budget for the convention centre is US$73 million.The development needs a minimum of two private investors in order to proceed.ING Funds Thailand is one of the parties said to be interested in investing in the project.Phuket’s governor, Niran Kanlayanamit, is to form a committee to work on an appropriate location, the centre’s specification and a prospective private investor.The study, which is expected to take two months, will then be presented forgovernment approval.The convention centre is expected to be modelled on Chiang Mai ConventionCentre and to occupy at least 20 hectares of land.It will feature a convention hall, an exhibition area and parking space.According to a study by Thailand’s Board of Investment, the centre should have between 4,000 sqm and 5,000 sqm in total usable space, including a 3,000 sqm ballroom.
It remains unclear whether the 56-hectare beachfront plot on Mai Khao beach will be the location of the international convention centre.
