Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has announced plans to develop Kung Bang Kachao in Samut Prakan as an ecotourism destination to attract high-end tourists.
During his visit on Sunday (June 2), Srettha highlighted the area’s potential, which has been under-supported despite its environmental significance. The premier expressed an intention to discuss the matter with Tourism and Sports Minister Sermsak Pongpanich and Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool on Tuesday.
Kung Bang Kachao, also known as Bang Kachao and revered as Bangkok’s “Green Lung,” covers approximately 12,000 rai of land. The area, which is home to farmland, forests, and over 13,000 families, plays a vital role in the local ecosystem by absorbing around 6,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide annually and releasing 6 million tonnes of oxygen each day.
The government’s vision involves drawing more affluent foreign tourists to Thailand, encouraging them to extend their stays and engage with local culture and commerce, particularly through attractions such as the popular Bang Nam Phueng Floating Market. (NNT)
