Two new cruise liner ports planned

Two new cruise liner ports planned

The government plans to hold an international yacht show this November to boost tourism. (Photo by Achadtaya Chuenniran)
The government plans to hold an international yacht show this November to boost tourism. (Photo by Achadtaya Chuenniran)

Two new cruise liner ports are to be built in southern Thailand, one in Krabi and the other in Surat Thani, with an international yacht show also planned for the beginning of the high tourist season in November this year.

Deputy Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said the two new international tourist shipping ports would supplement the existing cruise liner ports in Phuket, Laem Chabang and Bangkok.

Cruise liners were now very popular and carry quality, high-spending tourists, and could susbstantially boost national revenue, Mr Arkhom said.

Kajorn Weerajai, deputy permanent secretary for tourism and sports, said that the number of tourists arriving in Thailand aboard cruise liners was capped at about 100,000 annually because of limited capacities of existing cruise liner ports, and some cruise liners had to dock at cargo ports.

Mr Akrhom also said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered that an international yatch show be organised for late this year. Manufacturers would be invited to display and sell new yachts and super yachts.

It could be held in Pattaya or Phuket in November, to coincide with the high tourist season.

"If events and festivals in Thailand in the high season include a yacht show, more tourists will arrive and spend in Thailand because yacht owners have high purchasing power," Mr Arkhom said.

"We want this group of tourists to visit and stay longer in Thailand, so home ports will be built to compete with Singapore."

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