Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul and her Tourism and Sports staff recently surveyed the Eastern National Indoor Sports Stadium as part of an initiative to develop Pattaya as a “world class sports destination”.
Kobkarn and board members from the Sports Authority of Thailand and related organizations visited the arena on Soi Chaiyapruek 2 in Jomtien Beach Jan. 31, welcomed by Pattaya Tourism and Culture Committee Chairman Rattanachai Sutidechanai.
Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul (2nd left) and Tourism and Sports staff members tour the Eastern National Indoor Sports Stadium in Pattaya on January 31.
Pattaya officials were questioned about how many people the stadium can accommodate and if it meets national standards. They also asked if there will be any changes or improvements made to the facilities to make it reach international standards. City representatives said that their plans are to make it a world-class sporting center and be a big part of the sports and tourism industry in eastern Thailand.
Kobkarn told the media that sports authority has handed over the stadium to Pattaya City and the government is now planning to support and develop it to become a world-class sports destination that is ready and able to handle all sorts of international sporting competitions.
It has also been designated the sports center for disabled athletes in the east, so Pattaya is investigating ways to make the venue more accessible.
Chonburi has previously been focusing on development for Pattaya to become a sports destination that is known worldwide and to push it further to promote tourism. Plans are in the works to obtain a budget to create more facilities and improve existing ones.
