http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/loca...-tourism-drive

Cabinet mulls tourism drive
  • Published: 6/01/2011 at 12:00 AM
  • Newspaper section: News

PATTAYA : A plan to promote sustainable tourism in Pattaya will go to the government for approval once the cabinet backs a 10-year, 10 billion baht development plan for the area.



Pattaya mayor Itthiphol Khunplome says the scheme, under the supervision of the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Dasta), would allow local administration organisations surrounding Pattaya City to claim a bigger chunk of taxpayer funding from state agencies.

"Although Pattaya has a one billion baht annual budget, we can allocate only 3% in subsidies to surrounding areas, which is not enough for their development," said Mr Itthiphol.

But critics say designating Pattaya and nearby areas as a special area for a sustainable tourism development would benefit only local politicians. It could even hurt the environment rather than bring about sustainability.

Nine neighbouring areas would be named as key support areas for the Pattaya economy. They would supply farm produce and water, garbage and waste water disposal services, and provide housing for Pattaya's workers and migrants, he said.

Dasta says the planned development projects could bring in over 300 billion baht in annual revenue for Pattaya and nearby areas by 2017.

Dasta deputy director Damrong Saengkaweelert said Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart, who supervises Dasta, would forward the development plan to the government in the coming months.

Thiti Chantangphol, Dasta acting director of policy coordination, hoped 100million baht could be allocated as a start-up fund later this year or by the 2012 fiscal year. Public hearings would be held after the government backs the plan. Takhian Tia municipal clerk Phrakaypap Cha-om said his subdistrict was marketing itself as Bangkok's lungs, a green area located only one hour from Suvarnabhumi airport. It needed government support to implement the project.

Mr Phrakaypap said the local authority initially did not see the merit of expanding Pattaya, but now realised that increasing business activity there would have spin-off benefits in fees from land sales and tax revenue.

Sornchai Thongyangyuen, president of the Na Jomtien Tambon Administration Organisation, said any projects that boosted tourist sites such as the Nong Nooch Garden would enjoy local support.

Buntham Trongboonmee, 47, a pickup truck driver on Koh Lan, one of the designated support areas, said boosting tourism was welcome but not at the expense of the environment.