Public surveyed on B70bn Ao Phuket project

PHUKET CITY: Public opinions of the 70-billion-baht convention center and hotel project proposed to be built on reclaimed land off Saphan Hin have been surveyed, but the survey results have yet to be analyzed, Vice-Governor Worapot Ratthasima and officials from Phuket Governor’s Office were told on Friday.

Researchers Dr Aree Tirasatayapitak and Kamontorn Prompitak, from the Faculty of Service Industries at the Prince of Songkla University, Phuket campus, who conducted the study, said opinions were gathered from 600 people in Phuket, 300 each in Phang Nga and Krabi provinces, as well as from a public hearing.

The respondents included people who would be affected by the project, those who may be involved in it, government officials, politicians and tourism industry representatives, Dr Aree explained.

The study gathered information about the participants, their understanding of the project, provided information if the participants’ understanding was limited, and asked respondents their opinions about the potential impact of the project, she said.

While the process of information gathering has been completed, the results have yet to be finalized and will be released “within a couple months”, Dr Aree said.

“This study will be sent to the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board for them to consider together with separate environmental and economic studies. The NESDB will forward all the studies to the Cabinet later,” she added.