The government plans to unveil a high-end tourism campaign in the coastal western provinces, which it said would help boost the income of locals in the region.
Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kowsurat said Sunday that Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak instructed the ministry to unveil the "Riviera Thailand" campaign.
The Thaksin-era plan for a 'Riviera Thailand' covers the west coast from Phetchaburi to Chumphon and including Prachuap Khiri Khan, above. (Photo by Google Maps)
"Riviera would highlight the beauty and luxury of the tourist attractions," Mr Weerasak said.
The campaign would target Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon and Ranong.
Areas along the coastline in these provinces normally serve the rich or business people, while locals live further inland, he said.
"I have advised Mr Somkid that the Riviera Thailand project should include community tourism," Mr Weerasak said.
Links between local tourist attractions must be in place so that tourism income would be distributed to the villagers, which would correspond with the government's policy of using tourism to tackle social inequality, the minister said.
Construction of a 680km road along the coastline, which will also have bike lanes, is expected to be completed in five years. About 200 kilometres of the road have been completed. A 49km stretch is under construction. (Report continues below)
The Riviera Thailand project originated under the Thaksin Shinawatra government. The project, which was pushed through Thaksin's cabinet on Sept 9, 2005, was shelved after his government was ousted in the 2006 coup.
The plan laid out at that time involved three zones. The first features high-end attractions within 50km of Hua Hin airport, which includes a marina, hotels, the renovated Hua Hin train station, tourism campaigns and walkways at the mouth of the Pranburi River as well as whale and dolphin observation activities in Ban Krut of Bang Saphan district.
The second concerns the natural tourism spots within 100-200km in Prachuap Khiri Khan.
Projects which would spring up in the zone include Ban Krut pier, a campsite in Wanakon beach in Thap Sakae as well as an entertainment complex, a tax-free retail zone, and five-star hotels in Bang Saphan disttrict.
Another concerns areas for water activities between Prachuap Khiri Khan and Chumphon in a radius of 250-300km. Development will be carried out for marinas, hotels, entertainment complexes, and boutique areas.
This time, the Riviera Thailand project is expected to be tabled to a mobile cabinet meeting in Phetchaburi tomorrow.
During the meeting, the National Economics and Social Development Board is also expected to propose a four-year development plan for the lower Central Plains, which covers Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon, Prachuap Khiri Khan and Phetchaburi.
The 1.8-billion-baht plan involves the development of agricultural, industrial, food and tourism sectors.
Mr Weerasak said the cabinet will be asked to give ideas on tourism promotion schemes in the four provinces to cater to tourists who travel to the region by the Bangkok-Hua Hin high-speed train in the future.
The 94 billion baht, 211-kilometre high-speed rail project has been put under the public private partnership scheme's fast-track. Construction is expected to take three years.
Meanwhile, the 420km dual track railways from Nakhon Pathom to Chumphon as well as the new project from Chumphon-Songkhla -- to be proposed tomorrow as well -- will also serve to promote tourism on the western coast of the country.