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.
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.
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.”
