Trees felled at Nai Harn “to improve the view’

NAI HARN: As the high season gets into full swing, trees around Nai Harn Lake have been felled in a project to “improve the view” around the tidal lake.

The narrow grassy area around the lake has already been dug up and tons of rock are being dumped to strengthen the banks.

Local residents have been disturbed to see brown earth from the excavations leaching into the lake, discoloring it, and have complained to the Gazette about the sound of excavators, and the combination of their exhaust fumes and dust from the work disturbing what was until recently a peaceful location.

However, when the work is over the area will be much improved, according to Rawai Tambon Administration Organization (OrBorTor) Chairman Aroon Solos.

He explained, “We must cut down the old trees to be able to plant new ones. The new trees will have yellow flowers, and will look better than the [non-flowering] trees they will replace.”

Construction of three toilet-and-shower blocks just off Nai Harn Beach has also begun as part of a 40-million-baht improvement plan for the Rawai area.

The next stage of development will see the ramshackle jetty at Rawai Beach replaced by a 300-meter-long pier. Koh Lone, too, will get a new pier, and sea walls will be built close to Rawai Beach to protect it from erosion.

A tourist information center will be built at the Rawai OrBorTor office and the sports field near Laem Promthep will be upgraded.

These projects are part of a massive 350-million-baht plan for “Phuket International City”.

Said K. Aroon, “I hope the project to improve the view at Nai Harn will be finished in 2006.”