Pattaya to become marine tourism hub

BANGKOK, May 23 (TNA) – Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul visited the resort town of Pattaya to follow up the plan to develop the city in the eastern province of Chon Buri as the maritime tourism hub. After her recent visit to Pattaya, she said she found the beach was clean and beach beds and umbrellas are in order. Life guards are on standby to help tourists in case of an emergency. For the safety of tourists, buoys have been installed, floating on the sea to define zoning of the safe swimming and jet ski area. A few floating docks were installed at the Bali Hai pier for speed boats to carry passengers to Larn Island after speedboats are not allowed to dock on Pattaya Beach. Meanwhile, the main pier to Laan Island at the Bali Hai Bay accommodate about 9,000 – 10,000 tourists, she said. The pier will be upgraded to cater for cruise tours in the near future. The landscape at the Bali Hai Bay and bus parking will be beautified as Thailand is scheduled to host the Air Race 1 World Cup at U-Tapao Naval Air Base in November 17-19. The bay will be the pickup areas for tourists, who will attend the event. (TNA)