MASTER PLAN ON THE MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT
OF THE PATTAYA SPECIAL ZONE
2 May 2011
Source: Foreign Office, the Government Public Relations Department
The Cabinet, during its meeting on 26 April 2011, approved the master plan on the special zone management and development of Pattaya City and adjacent subdistricts in Chon Buri province.
The investment budget for the implementation of the master plan is 15 billion baht, covering 132 projects. Pattaya City and nine other local organizations will benefit from the plan.
The Cabinet agreed in principle to allow the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA) to work out an action plan and decide on the budget for each project. The administration is a public organization established in 2003 to promote environmental development and conservation for sustainable tourism.
Pattaya City and neighboring areas were declared by the Cabinet a special zone on 24 March 2009. The adjacent areas include the municipalities of Pong subdistrict, Bang Lamung subdistrict, Na Chom Thian subdistrict, Takian Tia subdistrict, Huai Yai subdistrict, Nong Prue subdistrict, Khao Mai Kaeo Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Nong Pla Lai Subdistrict Administrative Organization, and Na Chom Thian Subdistrict Administrative Organization.
The master plan aims to introduce balanced development in terms of economic, social, and environmental aspects, as a way of increasing opportunities for eco-tourism and cultural and natural preservation.
The master plan consists of four work plans. The first work plan, transport development, includes the construction of roads and a pier linking Pattaya with Ko Lan and the introduction of a shuttle bus service. The second work plan involves the construction and rehabilitation of public utilities and facilities to cope with growing tourism. It includes the expansion of the waterworks, drainage, and wastewater treatment systems, and studies on “green tourism” and the production of tap water from seawater with the reverse osmosis system.
The third work plan involves the development of new tourist attractions in Pattaya City and the improvement of Pattaya’s beaches, cultural attractions, and nature trails. The fourth work plan involves the development of the nine other areas to make them ready for the spread of tourists from Pattaya to these areas. It calls for environmental rehabilitation and natural tourism development, and the promotion of organic vegetable farming.
These development activities are expected to increase Thailand’s tourism earnings and distribute wealth on a sustainable and balanced basis.
Located about 170 kilometers southeast of Bangkok, Pattaya is unique as a beach resort with city status. From a fishing village in the 1960s, Pattaya has emerged as a favorite Southeast Asian vacation center and a renowned international playground. Unlike other beach resorts, where natural surroundings are used as magnets to attract tourists, Pattaya makes an all-out attempt to provide the best of everything for tourists on holiday, such as recreation, entertainment, sports, sightseeing, and fun. This exotic beach resort welcomes about five million visitors each year.
