Hua Hin, Cha-am to become special administrative zone

[Coss]

 

The two coastal districts of Hua Hin and Cha-am will be merged to become a special administrative zone as part of a pilot project for sustainable development to mark His Majesty's 84th birthday in December.

 

Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul will next Tuesday seek Cabinet approval to merge the two districts and put them under a special administration scheme.

Hua Hin, where the Klai Kangwon Palace is located, currently comes under the jurisdiction of Prachuap Khiri Khan province, while Cha-am is in Phetchaburi province. Upgrading the two districts would enhance the development of tourism and streamline the management of royally initiated projects in the area, the Interior Ministry believes.

 

The special administrative zone would be placed under the direct supervision of the prime minister, with Deputy Lord Chamberlain Distorn Vajarodaya acting as adviser.

 

The new Hua Hin-Cha-am special administrative zone would come into existence once the legislation on special local administrative organisations is enacted. Under this legislation, all office holders will be elected locally instead of being appointed by the central government.

 

The establishment of the administrative zone will be done in two parts - the master plan will be drafted this year and the plan implemented between 2012 and 2017.

 

The Interior Ministry will also seek Cabinet approval for a Bt3.9-billion underwater power cable running from Surat Thani town to Samui Island. The project is meant to meet the rising demand for electricity in Koh Samui, Koh Pha-ngan and Koh Tao. However, relevant agencies are doubtful about the project's viability, saying the initial environment examination report still needs to be completed.

 

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[shygye]

... so who gets the developer's kickbacks now?