The Transport Ministry has approved a budget of 135 million baht to improve the deep seaports of Phuket to bring them in line with international standards.

The sea port was originally used and designed to dock trading vessels from the Middle East, Europe and America. However because of a lack of trade, it was later adapted to dock tourists’ yachts to ensure its survival.

Deputy Transport Minister Kuakul Danchaiwijit said: “The deep sea port in Phuket can be redesigned and managed not only as a port for imports and exports, but as a tourist service port and fishing port, Phuket certainly has the market and potential to develop them.”

The Chaophaya Company, which currently rents the deep seaport at Makham Bay, also has plans for the port, yet have agreed to work together with the Maritime Department and Transport Ministry.

It will therefore be up to the Treasury Dept as to whether to renew the soon-to-end Chaophaya’s rental contract. It is the Treasury Dept’s wish to see the ports expanded to
be able to handle 9000-20000 tons of cargo.

“The assigned budget is to be allocated over two years; 2011 will receive 26 million and 2012 will receive the remaining 107 million baht,” Maritime Department director general, Chalor Kotcharat, said. “The expansion is to support the collaboration of the economic growth between Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia and to develop free trade in the world”

In the future the Treasury Dept will extend the rental contract duration to 5-10 years.
Khun Kuakol and Khun Chalor also visited Phuket to check for a suitable location to place buoys in Ao Por.

K Kuakul said “ It is good to have buoys placed around to keep it safe from the strong wind and waves during a monsoon, and also to develop its structure as the port is now old and decayed, which is very dangerous for tourists.”