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AN AMBITIOUS masterplan was formally rolled today that will provide the tsunami-hit areas of Thailand’s Andaman Coast with a sustainable medium development strategy to strengthen more short-term recovery efforts.

The plan, developed with support from an ADB technical assistance grant of US$1.7 million, provides a framework for the various recovery programs taking place in the three provinces affected by the Asian tsunami – Krabi, Phang Nga, and Phuket. It is also a blueprint for investment and community participation in more sustainable forms of tourism as well as other clean, higher value added economic activities.

"The plan creates a common, long-term vision for the Andaman Coast to which government, the affected communities, and the private sector can cooperate and contribute to," says J.P. Verbiest, ADB's Country Director in Thailand.

"By turning a situation of adversity into one of opportunity, the Andaman region can become a flagship of good planning and governance. The intention is to transform the Andaman Coast into an internationally renowned coastline that will attract people to visit, study, work and live."

The Asian tsunami claimed about 5,000 lives in the three provinces, which also suffered damage estimated at $400 million. The tourism industry has made an unprecedented effort to lure back visitors, but some affected areas have bounced back better than others.

An international team under the technical assistance has been working with the affected provinces through several rounds of public consultations on the plan that is intended to guide the Andaman region's development for the next 10-15 years.

The plan works under the principal of protecting the areas that have not been developed and restructuring the areas that have. Leisure and industry will be strictly zoned so they complement rather than conflict with each other and places with a pristine environment are not spoiled.

It aims to diversify the economic base of the area to reduce reliance on traditional forms of tourism and develop new products and services that will bring growth and job opportunities to undeveloped parts of the Andaman region.

This would involve adapting the zonal planning system advocated and undertaking a series of pilot projects in Phuket, Chalong Bay, Phang Nga, Ban Tha Lane, and Khao Lak, among others.

ADB officials and members of the international team involved in drawing up the plans this week made separate presentations to the provincial governors before presenting the plan in Bangkok to government officials and press today.

The plan was acknowledged by the Thai Cabinet in September 2005 and July 2006 and by the Finance Minister this month. As a next step, the plan will be promoted and introduced to the concerned agencies for utilization as the blueprint for the Andaman region.

Read the Subregional Development Plan.

Related stories:

• Thailand Stepping out of Tsunami's Shadow

• ADB Approves $1.7 Million Grant for Thailand's Tsunami-Affected Andaman Region

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