B500m tourist center planned for Rawai

PHUKET: A Bangkok-based businessman plans to begin work next year on the construction of a 500-million-baht tourist complex that will provide visitors with “everything they need to know” about the island’s history, culture and environment. Ramese Kanjanapokin, Executive Vice President of architectural consultancy Design 103 International Ltd, told the Gazette that the planned complex will cover 10 rai behind the Phuket Seashell Museum in Rawai. The project will have the dual aim of educating and entertaining visitors, he said. The 500-million-baht price tag is expected to be raised partly from foreign investors. Somchai Patamakamthin, Managing Director of the Seashell Museum, told the Gazette earlier that his company will also be investing by providing the land. K. Ramese said, “We will have a lot of attractions at the center. There will be an aquarium, which will be better than the one in Singapore; there will be a section on Thai history since the wars with Burma; and there will be areas focusing on mining, the life of the mangrove, and the festivals of Phuket. We will have presentations using the latest multimedia technology. “We chose Phuket because I believe the island’s economy has the potential for growth for the next 15 years. I also want to do something for the local economy because my mom is from Phuket,” K Ramese added. The main market for the center will be tourists, both Thai and foreign. “I believe we will have good feedback from them,” K. Ramese said. Construction will begin next year and take about one year to complete, he said.