Thanachot Anuwan
National budget appropriators have allocated only 1
percent of the requested 13.5 billion baht for a 10-year project to
transform Pattaya into a special “greenovative tourism” zone for
sustainable development.
At a Jan. 17 Pattaya City Council meeting, Mayor
Itthiphol Kunplome announced that the Budget Bureau approved 135 million
baht for first-year “pilot” projects detailed in the Designated Areas
for Sustainable Tourism Administration master plan approved in August.
Seventeen of 132 proposed projects will begin this year, although
completion will require additional funding.
Among the projects funded this year are design and
studies into a bio-gas generation plant, closed-circuit television
camera installation on Koh Larn, research into marine conservation on
Koh Larn and design studies into tunnels under the intersections of
Sukhumvit Road and North, Central, South and Thepprasit roads.
Funding also will cover projects in other
sub-districts, such as research into living conditions of Thai-Muslims
in Pong, drainage pipe installation in Nongprue and Huay Yai, planning
of a Mabprachan Reservoir-area park, design studies for a
beach-activities area at Baan Amphur Beach in Najomtien, planning of a
public park in Takientia, expansion of water supply systems in Sai Mab
Wa-Pattaya Park Hill and Sai Rong Po-Khao Maikaew, a Wat Nong Ket Yai
folk museum in Nong Plai Lai, digging of a reservoir in Khao Maikaew and
a research study into locally made products there.
Set up by a 2003 royal decree, DASTA was given a
mission to integrate and oversee tourism development in areas designated
to have superb natural environments, cultural and traditional importance
and have been developed for tourism purposes. Among the first projects
approved were Koh Chang National Park, the Chiang Mai Night Safari, Koh
Lanta, Koh Samet and the Nongteng-Chakkarat forest in Nakhon Ratchasima.
With its sprawling nighttime industry and many
environmental problems, Pattaya’s bids for DASTA status - and the
millions in baht that come with it for mayoral pet projects - were
repeatedly turned away. But in July 2008 Bangkok officials conceded,
admitting Pattaya formed a “distinctive” area for international tourism
and could retain its status as a draw for foreign currency if developed
properly.
Thus began more than three years of discussions and
proposals that culminated in 29 public hearings and private meetings and
the March 2009 designation of a 928 sq. km. zone comprising Pattaya and
the eight districts.
Politicians submitted nearly 15 billion baht in
proposals. DASTA initially approved 34 of those for the first year, but
national budgeters cut that to just 17 and whether Pattaya politicos can
talk their way into the other 99 percent of the funds they want remains
to be seen.
