Supalai Resort to install swim dock

PHUKET CITY: The provincial committee on waterways has approved a request by Best Western Premier Supalai Resort & Spa in Pa Khlok to construct a 200-meter floating dock to give resort guests access to the sea.

The committee, chaired by Phuket Vice-Governor Worapoj Ratthasima, met at Phuket Provincial Hall on August 7 to discuss the license application.

Its members include representatives from provincial offices of Public Works and Planning, Fisheries, Marine Transport, Natural Resources and Environment.

Nalinee Thongtham of the Phuket Marine Biological Center was the only committee member to express reservations about the 2m-wide plastic pier, which the resort says is only intended for swimmers and not as a berthing site for watercraft.

Worrying about the effect on coral in the area, Khun Nalinee asked the committee if the length of the dock could be limited to 150 meters.

She noted that local people had protested about other pier projects in the Ao Por area.

In the end, the committee approved the 200m construction in principle, with V/Gov Worapoj asking a representative from the Thalang District Office to re-check the title deeds and ensure that the dock would serve the public benefit and, most importantly, not harm coral.

Supalai Resort General Manager Chokdee Chunpoon told the Gazette that the dock has already been built and that the resort is still waiting for all the documents to be formally processed and signed by the governor before beginning installation.

He said he did not know how long the process would take, but confirmed that use of the dock would be restricted to swimmers.