All aboard: Songkhla sets sail for cruise boom with new port plan
In a bold bid to transform Songkhla into a cruise hotspot, the local Chamber of Commerce has proposed the development of a dedicated cruise port to woo affluent Western tourists, while still charming traditional visitors from Malaysia and Singapore.
During an eventful visit by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in February, Songphon Changsiriwattanathamrong, president of the Chamber of Commerce, pitched the idea. He urged the Marine Department to whip up a design for the port, sparking anticipation for a game-changing boost in local tourism.
Perched on the southern coast of Thailand, overlooking the Gulf of Thailand, Songkhla has long been missing out on lucrative opportunities due to the absence of a cruise port, Bangkok Post reported. Songphon noted the absence is felt keenly from cruise lines travelling from bustling Singapore.
Encouragingly, the government has expressed support, with Songphon adding that a delegation from the Singapore Tourism Board has already scoped out the site and explored the area’s rich cultural routes.
“Our package tour to the province’s Old Town, rich in history and culture, is a top attraction that will entice cruise liners to dock in Songkhla.”
Songchai Mungprasitthichai, President of the Songkhla Tourism Promotion Association, painted a dazzling picture of the potential route. Cruise ships, usually stopping at Koh Samui before heading to other exotic locales, could soon call on Songkhla, opening doors to upmarket tourists in droves.
Drawing on past glories, Songchai recalled the successful spell between 1998 and 2001 when smaller cruises made stops in Songkhla, packed with eager shoppers and sightseers.
The vision for the new cruise port is clear: to reel in high-spending Western tourists. With cruises departing from Singapore and journeying through the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, a renaissance in local tourism awaits.
Songphon assured that plans are in place to bolster services and skills in Songkhla, ready to cater to this exciting new market wave.
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