The first mobile Cabinet meeting of this year occurred recently in Krabi. After inspecting local government projects, tourism sites were officially reopened amidst a meeting with local tourism entrepreneurs and leaders on Ko Phi Phi.
The official schedule for the first mobile Cabinet meeting this year in Krabi and Trang on 15-16 November started with the arrival of Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha at Krabi International Airport. The Prime Minister was briefed on the renovation of the airport’s passenger terminal.
The Prime Minister then presided over the opening ceremony of the Andaman OTOP Shop located at the Andaman Culture Learning Center in Krabi City Municipality. The ceremony was witnessed by Cabinet members and governors of 6 Andaman coastal provinces.
Aimed at helping to promote creative tourism, this OTOP shop features community products from the 6 Andaman coastal provinces, namely Ranong, Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi, Trang, and Satun, along with local delicacies and handicraft works. The Prime Minister was given a tour inside the center and greeted vendors and villagers waiting to welcome him inside the venue.
Local businesses were keen to put forth their interests, ”Krabi tourism ranked fourth in terms of revenue in the country, and the province deserves to get approval for infrastructure to facilitate locals and tourists as some of the projects have been delayed for too long,” said Sasithorn Kittidhrakul, president of the Krabi Tourism Association.
The government has approved 7 campaigns for economic and social development in Andaman coast provinces in the southern region worth 494 million baht. These short-term campaigns are intended to be completed within a year to stimulate local economies and improve the livelihood of villagers.
The meeting on economic and social development for southern provinces along the Andaman coast chaired by the Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha approved 7 short-term economic and social development campaigns, which will be receiving a total of 494 million baht funding from the government.
The approved campaigns are among 83 campaigns proposed by local agencies. The 7 campaigns have been selected on this occasion as they are urgent and short-term campaigns that can be completed within a year.
The 7 approved campaigns consist of the health services and environmental health improvement on Ko Lipe, Satun; the development of learning, conservation, and rehabilitation center for dugong and other rare marine animals in Trang; the development of historical and environmental tourism attractions in Ranong; the Phuket Health Sandbox campaign in Phuket; the development of coastal tourism and recreation hub in Phang Nga; the renovation of Klong Jirad Pier in Krabi; and the development of Klong Thom hot spring in Krabi.
The meeting has also approved the suggested key development aspects for Andaman provinces, namely the compensation, recovery, post-pandemic assistance, tourism, agriculture, living quality, and infrastructure.
The Prime Minister on this occasion emphasized that the government is responsible for taking care of Thai people in all 77 provinces, as well as facilitating business operations, adding that the government will be allocating the available budget to maximize benefits.
The Bangkok Post reported that Ms Sasithorn stated that as Thailand is preparing to gear up for quality tourists, health and wellness could be a good combination for resort destinations like Krabi if the province can add more wellness services.
Due to insufficient international standard hospitals with only a few small-sized private hospitals, most local residents and tourists have to seek wellness services in Phuket instead.
In terms of medical care for Covid-19 patients, she said the province has a risk management plan with over 4,466 beds in hospitals, hospitels, community isolation and home isolation. The occupancy rate of these facilities and locations is currently about 60%.