Pattaya City banks on IT to boost tourism, investment

 

 

Pattaya Mayor Ittipol Khumplome said that the 1,000-points Wi-Fi network will cover main roads, beachfront roads and key attractions. About 25,000 residents and tourists are expected to use the free service each month, and this should boost the number of tourists to the city by 7-10 per cent. 

 

Pattaya City now attracts about 5.5 million visitors a year, with 70 per cent being foreigners who spend average 2 nights. 

"IT is a key in corporate administration and city modernisation," he said. 

In the 2013 fiscal year, the city plans to invest Bt190 million on aerial photographing, closed-circuit TV system and "Pattaya on Social Media" website. The website, featuring information on investment and tourism, will be launched soon to draw foreign companies' office establishment. The internet network will also be extended to cover government agencies, schools and hospitals.