Marina Development Process in Thailand Case Study Phuket Boat Lagoon and Royal Phuket Marina

Abstract

This thesis explored all the principal factors that contribute to an effective Marina Development Process in Thailand in line with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports efforts in expanding Thailand’s marine tourism industry and turning the country into the leading marine hub in the region. Geographically speaking, Thailand has the advantage of having both the location and the climate conducive to being a leading marina development player. Both in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, tourism is already one of the main driving sectors of the economy and the marina industry sector is boosting its growth further. The demand for marine products has been on steady increase because of the government’s tax exemption policy on leisure vessels; a policy first implemented in 2004 that reduces the import duty from 245% to 0%. As a result, the number of registered yachts in Thailand rose to over 350%, according to the Department of Customs of Thailand. Thailand is also seeing the rise of the developed yachting industry, especially in the existing four main marinas that are mostly concentrated on the Andaman coast. Strategically, Thailand’s potential to become a major marina hub of Southeast Asia is high. This report will explore the key elements and cultural aspects that influence how marinas are ore developed and operated by international marina consulting companies in Thailand. For the purposes of this research, Phuket Boat Lagoon and Royal Phuket Marina were used for case studies -- to provide a clear illustration and useful insight regarding the effectiveness and deficiency of current Marina Development Process. The construction philosophy employed in these marinas suggests high regard for the welfare of people and the environment. The high quality of specifications followed in the areas for public use and the entire marina conform to stringent rules governing health, aesthetics, and environmentally friendly development. CA Brebbia & Sciutto (2002) quotes “The marina’s construction philosophy is the welfare of people and the environment. The high quality specifications, for the areas of public use and of the entire marina are founded on stringent rules governing health, aesthetics and environmentally friendly development”. Having said that, for Thailand EIA plays the major role marina development stressing the importance of the welfare of the local people and the environment, a mechanism that can lead to a sustainable development.