Two sites short-listed for expo center

PHUKET: The province’s plans for the construction of an international convention and exhibition center (CEC) have taken one step closer to realization with the short-listing of two potential sites – one near the Sirinart National Park on Mai Kao beach, in the north of the island, and the other in the area around the Provincial Mineral Resources Office in Phuket Town. Prasit Seubchana, Phuket Provincial Treasurer, told the Gazette today that the site on Mai Kao beach, which covers 2,800 rai, is the front-runner because it is large and has access to the necessary infrastructure, and its location would make it more accessible to people from neighboring Krabi and Phang Nga provinces. The area around the Provincial Mineral Resources Office in Phuket Town covers just 126 rai, and has therefore been proposed as a backup site. Both sites are owned by the government. Details of the two sites will be sent to Bangkok, where they will be examined first by a committee headed by Pongpol Adireksarn, Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office, and then by the Cabinet.