Dasta plans Pattaya-Trat sea route
The Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration will promote a sea route off the east coast to attract boating enthusiasts to the area.
“This is one of the pilot projects planned by Dasta to draw high-end tourists to the Gulf of Thailand,” director-general NalikatibhagSangsnit said.
The beach resort city of Pattaya would be linked to Koh Chang, a large island in Trat province.
The marine route would be developed to international standards as a destination for inter-national tourists, especially yachtsmen.
A few operators offer sailing tours between Pattaya and Chang. They take 13 hours for a direct trip and up to 24 hours with stops at islands and beaches along the way.
For those short on time, travelling between Chon Buri province and Trat can be done by land.
People from Bangkok, who normally take the two-hour drive to Pattaya, have two travel options – by land or by air – to reach Trat.
Besides Pattaya, Chang could become a new port for sailing. Many other islands located near Chang will also benefit from the growth of sea travel.
Jaraspim Dhiralaksh, managing director of Dasta’s Area 1, which covers Chang and its vicinity, said there were 52 islands in its territory, but only three – Chang, Mak and Kut – are popular for diving and snorkelling.
Islands like Kham, Phi, Ngam and Lao Ya can be developed as destinations for general tourists as well as yachtsmen.
“The office has trained about 20 young people in Koh Chang to understand marine tourism and sailing. These people are members of the Koh Chang Sailing Club, which has joined the Hua Hin Regatta and bagged some awards,” she said.
