Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome
(left) chats with Swiss pier designer Philippe Guenat-Patry (right) about
the possibility of expanding Bali Hai Pier to incorporate a luxury yacht
marina.
Warunya Thongrod
The Thailand Hotel Association’s eastern-region president
believes Pattaya should expand Bali Hai Pier to incorporate a luxury yacht
marina to draw more-affluent tourists.
Association President Bundarik Kusolvitya introduced
Swiss pier designer Philippe Guenat-Patry to Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome July
26 at Pattaya City Hall. Patry’s presentation advocated the benefits of
building a marina for large yachts.
The proposed city-owned marina would compete with the
existing Ocean Marine Yacht Club in Jomtien Beach, which already offers 300
powered, floating berths for boats up to 50 meters long, a protective sea
wall, dry storage and yacht charters.
Itthiphol classified the meeting as simply a chance to
“discuss the fundamentals of marina construction, since we do need to
accommodate higher-class tourists.” He said any action on such as plan will
proceed only “gradually.”
Bundarik insisted, however, that building such a marina
would “ensure high-roller tourists will come to the city and open Pattaya to
new groups of tourists.”
