As the government aims to make Thailand a more attractive destination to yacht and superyacht owners, the Phuket Gazette reported that two new marinas are scheduled to be built in Phuket. The announcement coincide with Thailand’s plan to become a marine leisure hub in the ASEAN region.
Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith revealed that eight new marinas will be built as part of the program with four being constricted in areas along the Andaman Sea and the other four being planned for the Gulf of Thailand. These marinas will be able to service large yachts, including superyachts, according to the Phuket Gazette.
“These new marinas will stimulate economic growth throughout the region, especially in the tourism sector,” Arkhom pointed out. The sites for the two Phuket-area marinas are the Asian Marina in Rassada and the Kung Bay Marina in Pa Khlok. Kung Bay spans 108 rai and will be deep enough to handle superyachts. The Asian Marina will have a more limited capacity as its depth is only five meters. The government is currently negotiating with local land owners to secure long-term leases on several parcels of land in each area where the marina projects will be constructed, a ministry source confirmed to the Phuket Gazette.
“Construction of the Kung Bay Marina in Phuket is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2017. However, much will depend on when environmental impact assessments are complete. Once construction is underway, though, the marina should take about one year to complete,” Arkhom told the newspaper.
Meanwhile plans for the Asian Marina are a little more cloudy. No construction date has been announced and a source told the Phuket Gazette that the government is currently negotiating with local land owners to secure long-term leases on the land plot that will house the new marina. All eight of the new marinas are expected to be built on private land.
Image: Royal Phuket Marina is currently one of the best marinas in Phuket and Thailand