Knight Frank gives Pattaya glowing report
Pattaya has great potential given its expansion prospects and its standing as the major tourism hub of the eastern zone, property agency Knight Frank Thailand said on Monday.
The company’s managing director Phanom Kanjanathiemthao said the destination’s growth was underpinned by state investments such as the development of U-Tapao International Airport to support economic development in the eastern economic corridor and as a centre for aircraft maintenance. The target is to serve about 1.2 million passengers in 2017 (from 700,000 passengers in 2016).
He also highlighted development plans for Sattahip Commercial Port to make it a commercial port and yacht marina, connecting travel routes between the eastern and western sides of the Gulf of Thailand (East-West transport).
This will help reduce travel times and freight transport to one to two hours, he said, adding that the passenger ferry service between Pattaya and Hua Hin has commenced.
Phanom said another positive sign was the development of the special eastern economic corridor in three provinces, Chonburi, Chachoengsao and Rayong, covering 10 target industries.
“Pattaya itself has set a goal to become a centre of tourism to support the growth and integration of the Asean Economic Community,” he said. “The areas around Na Jomtien and Sattahip will receive many benefits from this growth.”
He also highlighted the fact that Na Jomtien is home to several major attractions including Cartoon Network Amazone, a large water park and the first and only one of its kind in the world to be associated with the Cartoon Network brand; Sriracha Tiger Zoo; and The Million Years Stone Park and Pattaya Crocodile Farm.
