MOSCOW, Sept 29 — Thailand's resort province of Phuket will request a budget totalling 148 billion bahts (US$4 billion) to upgrade its tourist infrastructure, media reported on Friday, citing Thai Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, Sputnik reported.
The initiative seeks to turn the destination into a regional tourism hub, including by building a second airport, highways, and overpasses as part of seven projects, the minister was quoted as saying by the Bangkok Post newspaper. He added that the budget should be allocated during fiscal 2024, with some projects, especially highways, expected to be completed by 2026.
Phuket Vice Governor Amnuay Pinsuwan said local government agencies would discuss their ideas with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin during his visit to the island on Friday. The legal procedures for the budget have already been discussed, Amnuay said.
In August, Thai government spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul said Russia was the top fifth in terms of inbound tourist traffic to the Southeast Asian nation, with over 850,000 Russian tourists since the beginning of 2023. Malaysia topped the list with 2.4 million tourists, followed by China, South Korea and India.
— Bernama-Sputnik
