Phuket aquarium gets new lease of life

THALANG: Representatives of the Phuket Sea Shell Co met Governor Udomsak Usawarangkura yesterday to seek his support for the plan to build an aquarium on a 120-rai site near Surin Beach.

The island’s sole aquarium, at Ao Makham and run by Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC), closed more than two years ago for renovations, which were supposed to take a year to complete, but the project has since stalled.

Looking to resurrect the PMBC aquarium project, Gov Udomsak earlier this year called for private investors to join. However, Phuket Sea Shell declined the offer, saying that the 12 rai set aside at the PMBC was not enough and that the company did not want to spoil the beautiful beach there.

After also declining the Governor’s suggestion to site the aquarium in Mai Khao, as it is too far from the tourist areas, Phuket Sea Shell suggested building an aquarium on 120 rai of government land near Phuket FantaSea.

The proposed aquarium will cover about 50 rai, with the remainder of the site earmarked for use by the Kamala Tambon Administration Organization, the meeting decided.

Phiboon Pheungthonglor, a consultant from the Teerachai Group, which is working with Phuket Sea Shell Co, said plans for the aquarium had already been drawn up, ready for submission to Phuket Provincial Administration Organization.

The proposal must first be approved by the Interior Ministry in Bangkok. If it is approved, said K. Phiboon, construction could start early in the new year.