Phuket – February 8, 2024, General Thanasak Patimaprakon, Chairman of the Senate Tourism Committee, presided over the opening ceremony of the practical seminar “Promotion of Andaman Coastal Provinces and Communities towards a Center of Marine Tourism” at the Grand Ballroom, 6th floor, The Pago Design Hotel, Phuket. The seminar was attended by heads of government and private sector organizations from 6 Andaman coastal provinces (Krabi, Phang Nga, Phuket, Ranong, Trang, and Satun).

Gen Thanasak – Chairman of the Senate Tourism Committee, as the seminar’s managing director, emphasized the importance of this event as a platform to gather ideas from the government sector, private sector, and local communities to propel the 6 Andaman coastal provinces – Krabi, Phang Nga, Phuket, Ranong, Trang, and Satun – into central hubs of joyful marine tourism and significant global tourist destinations. This aims to increase the proportion of high-quality tourists, leading to the development of the tourism industry with higher value-added. The goal is to generate revenue exceeding 500,000 million baht per year for the country.

The event was honored by distinguished speakers, including Miss Somrudee Chitchong – Deputy Governor for Domestic Market of Tourism Authority of Thailand, Miss Natthira Paengkun, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Tourism, Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Mr. Korawut  Banyongworaphinij, Director of Local Administration Development and Promotion Division, Department of Local Administration, Mr. Watthana Chokesuwanit, President of Thai Yachting Business Association, and Mrs. Wirintira Papakijyosapat, President of Phuket Tourism Industry Council.

Additionally, there were 200 participants comprising representatives from various government agencies, private sectors, and local levels who contributed strategic ideas to drive the Andaman coastal provinces towards becoming world-class marine tourism hubs, enhancing their competitiveness on the global stage, and further increasing revenue for Thailand.