A Democrat MP from Trang urges parliament to resolve the 'Trang Andaman Gateway' issue, a 35 million baht project left abandoned, fearing waste of taxpayers' money. Tags: [politics, public spending, infrastructure, tourism, local government, Trang province]
On 3 July 2026 GMT+7, Mr. Kritich Pakichan, Democrat MP for Trang, brought up the issue of the 'Trang Andaman Gateway' project at a parliamentary session. This rest stop and tourist service center, considered the gateway to the Andaman coast, received over 35 million baht from the provincial cluster budget but is now quiet and underused, rendering it a poor use of public tax funds.Tags: [parliament, budget, tourism infrastructure, Trang province, public expenditure]
Mr. Kritich explained that the site is managed by Khao Pu-Khao Ya National Park, which charges entrance fees. However, field visits revealed very few visitors, causing economic stagnation. Local residents and business operators have questioned the project's value. He submitted proposals through the parliamentary speaker to relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of Tourism, focusing on five key points: disclose operational data, income, and all fees; review and improve land use to align with the project's original objectives; revive tourism with proactive plans to attract visitors; adjust fees appropriately to facilitate convenience; and promote integrated development efforts.Tags: [national park, tourism, economic impact, government accountability, project management]
“I urge the parliamentary speaker to forward this matter to the relevant agencies so they can promptly consider solutions, develop the project to maximize benefits, and clarify any public concerns as soon as possible,” Mr. Kritich concluded.Tags: [parliamentary procedure, public accountability, project development, local community]