Prachuap Khiri Khan has experienced an increase in tourism, according to the latest statistics on domestic and international tourist arrivals to the province.
The latest data, which was highlighted in a recent meeting of the Provincial Joint Public-Private Sector Committee, revealed that over 8.25 million tourists had visited the province in the first nine months of the year, generating 30,600 million baht in tourism revenue.
During the meeting held on November 22, 2023 at Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Hall, Deputy Governor Mr. Komkrit Charoenpatanasombat led discussions focusing on economic development and problem-solving. Attendees included key government officials and representatives from the private sector.
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Ms. Saengchan Kaewpathumrasmi, Director of Tourism and Sports of Prachuap Khiri Khan, provided detailed insights into the tourism figures.
From January to September 2023, the province welcomed 8,252,728 tourists, comprising 7,877,346 Thai and 375,382 foreign visitors.
Deputy Governor Mr. Komkrit Charoenpatanasombat
This marked a 21.52% increase from the previous year, with an additional 1,461,235 tourists compared to 2022.
The revenue generated from tourism showed a significant increase of 34.64%, equating to an additional 7,897 million baht over the previous year.
In light of this growth, the meeting focused on further boosting tourism through various initiatives.
A key topic was incentivizing airlines to establish more domestic flight routes at Hua Hin Airport.
The plan aims not only to enhance the current tourism influx but also to prepare the airport for international standards, anticipating future international routes.
The development of the Prachuap Khiri Khan port at Mae Ramphueng in the Bang Saphan district was another significant topic. The goal is to fully utilize its economic potential, further bolstering the province’s economic growth.
Additionally, the committee addressed the persistent issue of the macaque monkey population, which has been causing disturbances in communities, particularly in areas like Khao Chong Krachok in Prachuap Khiri Khan City and Khao Takiab, Khao Hin Lek Fai in Hua Hin. It was agreed that a dedicated task force should be established to effectively address this problem, considering that previous efforts had not yielded significant progress.
Back in August, Hua Hin Today was able to exclusively reveal the current status of the ongoing development of Hua Hin Airport in Thailand to become an international hub.
The Department of Airports (DoA) is working on a comprehensive modernization plan, which includes a significant upgrade of the airport infrastructure. A key feature of this upgrade is the expansion of the runway to 2,100 meters, allowing it to accommodate larger aircraft like the Airbus A320.
Hua Hin Airport. File Photo. Hua Hin Today
While there was initial optimism about starting international flights by the end of the year, updated projections now suggest that it might take one to three years for these operations to begin. Current challenges include meeting safety standards around the airport and the lack of infrastructure, which makes it difficult for airlines to commit to operations there.
The DoA is also focused on enhancing safety standards in the airport vicinity. They have identified a contractor for this initiative, but the formal contract agreement is pending. Additionally, the airport needs a major upgrade in its road tunnel on Phetkasem Road and the expansion of a railway tunnel at the runway’s end.
In the meantime, the focus is on increasing domestic flights. AirAsia has started operating flights between Hua Hin and Chiang Mai four times a week, and new routes, such as between Hua Hin and Udon Thani, are under consideration. This is part of a broader strategy to improve connectivity within Thailand and potentially facilitate easier access for tourists from Laos and China.
Overall, the transformation of Hua Hin Airport into an international hub is a work in progress, with several steps to be completed before it can handle regular international flights.
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