Krabi gets infrastructure investment

16 May 2011

Investors are funnelling funds into Krabi and a number of projects have been started or are in the pipeline. Projects to build a new hospital, the Nakarin, and an upgrade to Krabi International Airport are both in progress and scheduled for completion some time next year.

Krabi Chamber of Commerce chairman Phuvadit Preechanont announced recently that BITEC (Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre) was investigating the feasibility of building a convention centre in the southern Thai resort. Mr Preechanont said BITEC were looking at an 80-rai site off Ao Nang Beach, with the possibility of a structure that would be able to hold up to 3,000 visitors.

The estimated cost of the convention centre would be one billion Baht. Mr Preechanont said negotiations were still in the preliminary stages, but investors in Krabi would be interested in a joint venture.

The chairman added that a new exposition centre in Krabi would not directly compete with neighbouring Phuket’s facility, which is due to open in 2014. He said the Phuket one would be bigger and that hopefully they would be able to operate in conjunction with each other.

If the convention centre goes ahead, it will bring total investment in Krabi up to more than two billion Baht. Projects that will see an additional 3,000 hotel rooms added to the province’s already abundant supply are also set to open to the public over the next few years.

Mr Preechanont told media sources that he hoped Krabi Province’s improving infrastructure as well as 400kms of beaches, spectacular rock formations, hot springs and hiking districts would increasingly attract more tourists.

Tags: Krabi infrastructure investment