Rassada Port officially opened

PHUKET TOWN: CEO Governor Pongpayome Vasaputi today officially opened Rassada Port. The port, which was built by and belongs to the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor), is managed by SeaTran Travel Co, which on August 20 was awarded the contract to operate the port for 30 years. SeaTran plans to develop the port into a center for tourist distribution, and a place to promote marine tourism. It will also be a marine rescue center and will have ship repair facilities. In the passenger terminal and at the pier, SeaTran plans to built infrastructure and services including souvenir shops, an Internet café, ship-to-shore radio services, ticketing booths, a tourist information center, ATMs, offices for government officials including the Marine Police, a first aid post, and a Muslim prayer room. Already, many tour operators and dive companies have set up booths in the passenger terminal. Boats to and from Phi Phi Island and Koh Yao form the major part of traffic using the port at the moment. In front of the port is a park, in which a monument will be erected to Prince Chumphon, the “Father” of the Royal Thai Navy.