Phuket to get B20 million facelift

PHUKET: Phuket will have a 20-million-baht facelift before the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference in September. Seven central government organizations will provide the bulk of the funding for the makeover but the island’s 13 OrBorTors will also contribute 200,000 baht apiece. Vice-Governor Winai Buapradit, who heads the project, said work had been underway since last month. The budget covers improvements to scenic vistas, decorative archways, gardens and footbridge decorations. K. Winai said that the archways will emphasize Phuket’s Sino-Portuguese heritage, with colorful bougainvillea figuring prominently in the gardens. About a dozen billboards promoting aspects of APEC have been erected and a dozen more will go up soon. Finance Ministers from member countries and their assistants will meet in Phuket from September 3 to 6. K. Winai added that each local district needed to focus on problems such as criminal activity, traffic jams and accidents, and other social issues before and during the Phuket meeting.