PM promises budgets for tourism developing Phuket projects

Urgent Phuket projects was one of a variety of topics discussed when PM Prayuth held a meeting with officials from the Andaman region and local residents at Phuket Rajabpat University yesterday afternoon.

PM Prayuth, who was accompanied by Deputy PMs, Gen Narong Pipatanasai and Somkid Jatusripitak, and Minister of Interior Gen Anupong Phaochinda, was welcomed to the meeting by Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada who raised a number of island developing projects which would need support from the government and requested PM Prayuth allocate the required budgets so that the projects could go ahead.

Gov Chamroen announced on Sept 7 that he planned to bring a range of urgent projects needed on the island to the attention of PM Prayuth when he visited the island yesterday to preside over the Startup Thailand and Digital Thailand 2016 event held at the Duangjit Resort & Spa in Patong.

Projects that needed support from the PM included the light rail system, International Conference and Exhibition Centre, underpass projects, expressway and Andaman railway. (See story here.)

After discussing the projects, PM Prayut said that the central government would need several trillion baht to support all projects that each province has proposed, but that all projects that will improve the infrastructure of Phuket and help to promote tourism would be supported.

“Projects like road and bridge construction and anything that assists with developing tourism in general are a must for us. The government will fully support these projects and will seek funds for them. These projects will happen,” PM Prayuth said.

“For those projects that have come to a standstill due to environmental issues, we will provide the necessary budgets so that assessments can be carried out so that the environmental problems can be fixed,” he added.

Meanwhile, more than 100 police and military security personnel had to be deployed at Phuket Rajabhat University prior to PM Prayut’s visit to the campus yesterday afternoon, as more than 500 Phuket sea gypsies turned out in the hope of delivering to the nation’s leader a plea to stave off forced relocation from their village in Rawai.

Under instruction from Col Akanit Danpitaksan, Chief Inspector of the Phuket Provincial Police, the security personnel had to move the sea gypsies to a site on Ratsadanusorn Rd, about one kilometre to the north from the campus, and ensured they did not block traffic at the busy Wor Kor intersection. (See story here.)