As the Songkran Festival looms closer, Pattaya Port Authority prepares for an influx of travellers with an initiative to ensure safety and convenience. From April 11 to 17, they are set to facilitate seamless water travel between Koh Larn and Pattaya.

To cater to the needs of both locals and tourists, the authority has orchestrated a fleet comprising 60 passenger boats and 700 speedboats. Their ambitious setup aims to handle at least 20,000 travellers daily, totalling a staggering 140,000 to 150,000 over the seven-day festival.

Ekkrach Kantharo, Director of the Regional Marine Office, Pattaya Branch, highlighted the meticulous preparations.

“With Thailand offering visa-free entry for Chinese tourists this year, there’s been a noticeable surge in visitors to Pattaya, especially those flocking to the pristine shores of Koh Larn for relaxation.”
Passenger boats, each capable of accommodating 150 travellers, will shuttle between Pattaya and Koh Larn hourly, with three to four boats scheduled based on demand. Meanwhile, speedboats will offer flexibility for private trips.

The allure of Koh Larn’s scenic beaches and crystal-clear waters has made it a top pick among tourists, driving up the demand for water travel services. Daily port activity in Pattaya has skyrocketed to over 15,000 passengers, with foreigners making up 70%, including Chinese, Russians, and Indians, while Thai nationals account for the remaining 30%.

During the Songkran festival period, the Pattaya Port Authority will set up a dedicated water convenience and public relations centre at the port. Collaborating with Pattaya City, marine police, tourist police, and rescue workers, they aim to prioritise safety.

Strict regulations will be enforced, with boat operators required to conduct thorough checks on vessel conditions and safety equipment, including life jackets and lifebuoys, reported Pattaya Mail.

Regular inspections for drugs will also be carried out to maintain a secure environment for all travellers amid the festive celebrations.

In related news, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is anticipating a robust tourism influx from North and South America this year, with a projection of at least 1.5 million tourists – a figure that mirrors the 2019 statistics. This surge is attributed to the confluence of the Songkran celebrations and the Easter holiday in April.

Chiang Mai, once bustling with tourists, is currently facing a downturn in hotel bookings as of Wednesday.

According to La-iad Bungsrithong, advisor to the Northern Thai Hotels Association, reservations are only at 30% capacity compared to the same period last April.

Despite this gloomy scenario, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon. La-iad anticipates that occupancy rates will rebound to 70% during the upcoming Songkran Festival.

Scheduled from April 13 to 15 in Chiang Mai, the festival is expected to draw a large number of tourists. Some areas have even designated April 1 as the kickoff for water play festivities.

In related news, Chiang Mai tourism remains optimistic about a recovery despite the current slump in hotel bookings.

Traditionally favored as a cool winter retreat, Chiang Mai has faced additional challenges, notably air pollution. La-iad expressed optimism about a potential increase in tourist numbers by April, provided that the PM2.5 issues are effectively addressed.

“Chiang Mai is currently grappling with alarming levels of air pollution.”

However, this problem extends beyond Chiang Mai, affecting the entire northern region of Thailand. The air pollution crisis significantly impacted the tourism industry in March, causing hotel occupancy rates to drop to 50% from the expected 60%, according to La-iad.

She emphasized the necessity for a comprehensive plan from the Thai government to tackle air pollution. While this might not directly affect local businesses, the contaminated air, high in PM2.5, poses significant health risks.

“The PM2.5 issue requires a nationwide approach that entails concrete and comprehensive plans from the government.”

Additionally, La-iad proposed that Chiang Mai could benefit economically and in terms of tourism with the establishment of an entertainment complex. This could potentially replace the unregulated underground gambling dens. However, she stressed the importance of stringent legal measures and regulations to mitigate any potential societal issues stemming from the casinos.

“However, stringent legal measures and regulations must be carefully implemented to prevent any societal problems arising from the casinos.”

Phuket City Municipality, in its ongoing efforts to address the escalating challenge of solid waste management, has launched the inaugural public consultation regarding the construction of a state-of-the-art incinerator at the Saphan Hin waste disposal site.

Chaired by Deputy Mayor Orapailin Trakulpriphon, the session convened yesterday, March 27, at the meeting room of the Phuket Provincial Waste Disposal Center located at Saphan Hin.

EA Waste Management’s Role in New Facility

The focal point of discussion revolves around a proposal involving EA Waste Management Phuket Co Ltd, a private entity entrusted with the task of erecting and operating the new facility. Present at the meeting was the Business Development Manager of the company, Pantip Chatrangsan, who provided detailed insights into their envisioned role.

Pantip outlined the scope of the proposed facility, spanning an area of approximately 14 rai, designed to accommodate the disposal of a minimum of 500 tons of solid waste daily. Moreover, it is anticipated to yield 9.9 megawatts of electrical power.

While an initial Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been conducted, Deputy Mayor Orapailin underscored the forthcoming preparation and presentation of a comprehensive EIA to the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP).

In line with these developments, Orapailin emphasized the significance of soliciting public feedback, considering it instrumental in devising effective solid waste management strategies within Phuket Province.

“She stressed the objective of enhancing awareness and comprehension of developmental initiatives in alignment with environmental standards”

Furthermore, she reiterated the municipality’s commitment to mitigating the adverse effects of such undertakings on both the populace and the environment in a sustainable fashion.

Despite the dissemination of various meeting reports through official government channels, including the national state news agency NNT, the Phuket News highlighted a notable absence of details concerning the cost of the proposed incinerator and the status of feasibility studies conducted thus far.