Krabi Marina project gets the go ahead

Krabi province will have its own marina by 2012, as part of a Bt77.77 million development project to support tourism in the coastal province.

The marina is one of five projects funded by Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the province and other government agencies.

Due to be completed in 2011, the marina will be located on a canal, Klong Jilad, at the estuary of Krabi River in Sai Thai sub-district of Muang district.

It will be just a short distance from Klong Jilad harbour, where tourist ferries depart for Phuket, Phi Phi and Lanta islands.

A feasibility study was conducted by the European Union in cooperation with Songkhla Nakharin University and has gained the support of the local community through a public hearing. It was attended by 170 invited locals. Once completed, the marina will accommodate up to 46 yachts. The marina stands in water of around 6 metres deep, allowing it to remain operative during low tides.

A Ministry of Tourism and Sports Bt42.370 million budget has been set aside for the project.  Bidding for construction remains open until this April and the marina should be ready by 2012.

The other four projects are:

Khao Khanab Nam Natural Park in Pak Nam sub-district of Mueang district will be upgraded at a cost of Bt22 million (Bt3 million funded by Krabi municipality and Bt19 million by Krabi province). It will have a landing for four boats, steps to a cave, displays depicting the life of cave dwellers, shops, toilets, underwater electrical cable and a meeting room. 

Khanab Nam harbour, a scenic viewpoint of the mangrove forest and Khanab Nam Mount will be improved at a cost of Bt2.9 million. The project involves construction of a walkway and landscaping. A Black Crab monument will be erected to symbolise the endangered environment of the mangrove forest.

A tsunami memorial will be constructed at a cost of Bt7.5 million, (Br6 million from the Rural Highway Department and Bt1.5 million from Krabi province). It will be located at Thara Public Park. A second memorial and a tsunami museum will be erected on Phi Phi Island.

In Sai Poh Forest, a floral park will be developed, at a cost of Bt3 million, for rare plant species. It will include a pavilion, signs, multi-function building, toilets, a 200-metre nature trail and a 8.5-metre tall viewing tower.

It will offer 360 degree views of the park and also be a base on a sky walk tour using a tree-top walkway.

Story courtesy of TTR Weekly, http://www.ttrweekly.com