A 'Lost World' off Trat coast? -
June 21, 2002
Forestry Department director-general Plodprasop Suraswadi yesterday floated
a proposal to invest Bt4 billion to turn Koh Chang and 52 islands in its
vicinity into an eco-tourism attraction to be called "The Lost World''.
He said the destination off the coast of Trat province could be marketed as
being as luxurious as the Maldives in the Indian Ocean.
Plodprasop said he was forwarding his idea for Cabinet approval. With
Cabinet and House approval, an executive decree could be issued to give
special autonomy to Koh Chang and its environs under the Public Organisation
Act.
Plodprasop said a special governing system was needed to stop forest
encroachment, as the Forestry Act has been unable to stop land-grabbing on
the islands.
Zoning was needed to preserve the natural beauty of the islands, Plodprasop
said. Controls on the numbers of cars, buildings and tourists must be in
place, he said.
"The islands have the potential to be developed like the Maldives. Some of
the islands, such as Koh Kut, are still covered with virgin forest, and can
be marketed as a 'Lost World', giving tourists the experience of Stone Age
living. An undersea museum could also be constructed there,'' he said.
Villagers who have title-deeds for land on the island would get compensation
to stop them selling the land to developers. Tourists would be able to
experience how villagers such as fishermen live.
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