Southern economy looks good: central bank

PHUKET TOWN: A review of the main industries in southern Thailand indicates a healthy outlook for the local economy, said Boonlert Luengnakthongdee, Director of Operations, Bank of Thailand, Southern Region, on Thursday. Speaking at the Royal Phuket City Hotel, at a meeting with business leaders and provincial officers from Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi, K. Boonlert said, “We are quite satisfied with the overall performance of the economy in the southern region.” The meeting was held to review the performance of the local economy through analyzing trends in the local fishery, agriculture, tourism and rubber industries. “The idea is to identify potential advantages and risks,” said K. Boonlert. “In tourism, right now we have good opportunities and we anticipate positive performance.” Speaking about the fishery industry, however, K. Boonlert was not so positive. “We cannot export tiger prawns to the European market just yet because there is a problem with residual chemicals.” K. Boonlert also urged caution when considering the possibility of opening a casino in Phuket, “We have to think very seriously about allowing a casino to open in Phuket. Several natural tourist destinations in other countries have experienced problems with people not visiting for the natural scenery anymore after a casino has been built.”