New Marina Planned for Phuket
Thailand targets new economic drivers to expand its superyacht hub amid a Covid-19 downturn in tourism. The Green Port Marina project was announced at a public hearing July 31, which was attended by local administrative organisations, state officials, companies and 100 residents from Tambon Mai Khao of Thalang district, the proposed location of the Green Port Marina project.
Participants at the event, presided over by district chief Suvit Suriyawong, were briefed mainly on the environmental impact assessment (EIA) which is required under a Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment regulations. The effects of the project on the residents' livelihoods and living conditions were also discussed.
Panya Songcharoen, the project officer, said the marina would cater to sport yachts and other types of leisure boats. The project will cover 130-140 rai, up to 90% of which is located on water within a cove developed to accommodate the mooring of more than 220 boats, from 10 metres to 70 metres long. If and when the EIA is approved, construction of the marina is expected to begin early next year with a soft opening planned for the end of the year.
Marinas are one of the six sectors earmarked as new drivers of growth for Phuket, seen as being overly dependent on conventional tourism. The other sectors are education, health and wellness, tuna exports, seafood and gastronomy as well as sports and events businesses. Experts agreed the sheer scale of economic damage to Phuket caused by the pandemic has revealed a systemic void in the province's preparedness to mitigate a sudden nosedive in the conventional tourism industry.
According to the Phuket Industry Council, the province has five marinas, 38 seaports and one deep-sea port. About 1,500 yachts and cruise ships call at the province each year on average (prior to Covid-19). It is felt that the province needed more marinas as it’s a world-class destination and strategically located to be an ideal stopover for cruise ships and yachts.
Asia Pacific Superyachts has been welcoming and servicing superyachts and yachts for over 12 years and Co-founders, Gordon Fernandes and Captain Charlie Dwyer applauded the efforts of the government and others for being proactive, and bringing forth new options for foreign-flag charter and private vessels.
“It’s great to see the government taking the lead and actively encouraging superyachts to visit the stunning waters in Thailand. They’re also taking it one step further and making sure that superyachts have the facilities needed in order to ensure that any visit to the ‘land of smiles’ is smooth”, said Fernandes.
“Marinas are an important part of any superyacht visit as the yacht needs time before the owner’s arrival to make sure that they are prepared for guests. With more and more yachts wanting to visit, more marinas are needed to cater to these vessels”.
Captain Charlie Dwyer, based in Koh Samui and now skippering a superyacht added, “Thailand is a great destination for superyachts. Vessels can set off from one of Phuket’s marinas and journey east to the third largest island in the country, Koh Samui and then cruise to nearby Ang Thong National Marine Park”.
A pristine archipelago of 42 islands in the Gulf of Thailand, it features towering limestone mountains, thick jungle, white-sand beaches, waterfalls and hidden coves and lakes to explore with a protected area of more than 100 sq km of land and sea with a rich biodiversity.
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Image: Achadthaya Chuenniran / Bangkok Post