CHANG RAI, Dec 12 – The 1st Viang Chiang Saen Port in Thailand’s northernmost province of Chiang Rai has officially been promoted as a tourist port, as part of the province’s attempt to boost tourism in the Mekong River Basin.
Deputy Minister of Interior Visarn Techateerawat on Thursday presided over the opening ceremony in Chiang Rai province as the port has officially been converted for tourism purposes, following the complete construction of the 2nd Viang Chiang Saen Port. Viang Chiang Saen Municipality Office will be in charge of turning the old port into a new Chiang Rai tourist attraction.
Wiang Chiang Saen Municipality mayor Chayakrit Nitsaisuk, meanwhile, urged the public to spend the day cruising and enjoying lifs along the river. He said the port currently has the capacity to handle 300 tourists an hour.
The port is now undertaking an ongoing revamp to meet international standards as well as to handle 600 tourists per hour in 2015. Space inside port’s terminal will be transformed into duty-free shops and a weekend market.
