The question of whether or not huge shopping malls are welcome in Phuket brings forth a slew of issues. On one hand, more shopping malls could provide numerous benefits for the local and national economy.
For one, thousands of new jobs will be created for locals; increased tax revenue could mean increased budgets for local municipalities; and not to mention, tourists and residents will have more places to escape the blistering tropical heat while spending their hard-earned dough, and thus putting more capital into circulation.
With more places to go, there will be more things to do, and this goes without saying that the quality of life could improve for locals.
But on the other hand, an influx of shopping malls may also put additional stresses on the local environment and infrastructure.
Slated yet to arrive in Phuket are:
- The Mall Group’s BluPearl shopping mall, a B20 billion project to be built on Phra Phuket Kaew Rd, about a kilometre west from Tesco Lotus Extra Kathu;
- Central Group’s Central West, a B13 billion project, which also will include a hotel and aquarium, and which has already broken ground on the plot opposite and to the south of Central Festival on Wichit Songkhram Rd (previously occupied by the Thai Nan restaurant);
- the King Power Phuket Complex, a B2 billion project in Vichit, on Muang Chaofa Rd, between the Honda showroom on Chao Fa West Rd and Makro on Wichit Songkhram Rd;
- and the GMS Duty Free Department Store, with construction of the B500 million outlet nearly finished on Phra Phuket Kaew Rd, adjacent to dCondo Mine, near Kajonkiet International School.
Hence, The Phuket News poll asked one simple question: “How much positive effect do you think shopping mega-malls have on the island?”
To this, a total of 21 per cent of those who voted in the poll voiced their opinion: “A lot, mega-malls are a boon to the island’s economy and provide arenas for social interaction.”
However, just under a quarter of respondents (24pc) responded: “Some, but they must be well maintained and populated to create the best long-term positive effect.
The pro-mallers were matched by those not entirely won over by the “shopping mall experience”, with 21pc of respondents voting: “Not much, they add to the economy and bring some benefits to the community, but not as much as some people claim they do.”
Yet, all other votes were outgunned by the naysayers, with 30pc of respondents voting: “Very little, their financial, social and environmental costs to the community outweigh their benefits.”
Only 4pc of respondents offered “No opinion”.
For the full poll results, click here.
To vote in our latest poll, which asks “How safe do you feel in Phuket?”, click here.