Twenty-five private organisations are urging the government to build a dedicated cruise terminal in Phuket to better promote tourism, Finance Minister Sommai Phasi said.
Representatives from tourism, trade, investment and banking groups raised the idea at a meeting with the National Council for Peace and Order earlier this week. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, in his capacity as NCPO chief, told Mr Sommai that the government should consider the proposal seriously.
Phuket current is served by the Costa, Princess, Regal and Royal Caribbean cruise lines, making several calls per month. Most times, ships anchor offshore and passengers are tendered to land by small boats. During rainy season, ships dock at Phuket's deep-sea port at Ao Makarm. However, that port has only one berth capable of handling cruise liners.