Speaking after the meeting, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said the Cabinet had approved the proposals of the Joint Public and Private Sector Consultative Committee handling the southern provinces on the Andaman Coast, which comprises Krabi, Trang, Phang Nga, Phuket, Ranong and Satun.
Spending is allocated from the central budget’s emergency and urgent expenditure reserve for fiscal 2023, reports the Bangkok Post.
Thirteen of the projects were proposed by the government sector with a combined budget of B350mn, while five projects were put forward by the private sector worth B202mn.
Government projects include the Community Marina Project to promote trade and tourism along the Andaman Coast; improvement of landfill areas for waste disposal in Phuket; construction of Bang Yai Canal, Phase 2 in Phuket; and tourism development focusing on medical emergency services in Krabi.
Other key projects are an initiative to transform Trang province into a creative food city; a smart port project in Phang Nga; road improvement and public utilities system enhancement in Ranong; improvement of the comprehensive waste management centre with a complete waste recycling system; and establishment of a floating boat pier at Pramong Beach, Koh Lipe, Tarutao National Park.
Projects proposed by the private sector comprise the "renovation" of Koh Yao in Phang Nga; expansion of the water distribution system in Srisoonthorn, Thalang, in Phuket; development of a learning centre about dugongs and endangered marine animals in Trang; improvement of the Ranong-Koh Song boat pier for tourism and travel in Ranong; and cultural and community-based tourism infrastructure development in Satun.