On 23th January 2014 at Royal Phuket Marina in Tambol Koh Kaew, Phuket Governor – Maitree Intusut presided over a meeting regarding a project to dredge the entry channels into the marinas in Koh Kaew. Also in attendance at the meeting were Phuket Marine Office Chief Phuripat Theerakulpisut, community leaders representing local fishermen in the area of Tambol Koh Kaew and members of the private sector.
The project to dredge the marina channels has been ongoing; a result of repeated complaints about the waters being too shallow and an obstacle to navigate, particularly for large yachts who enter and leave the Boat lagoon & Royal Phuket marinas. Along with the marina owners, there are also a group of fishermen, and local agencies that are prepared to support the budget to dredge water channel. However, it has been estimated that dredging the water channels cost in the region of 12 million, and will take approximately 6 months. If it is decided to go ahead with the project the work will commence around March 2014.
The project has two options; firstly, to dredging the original winding water channel, which winds for approximately 3.6 km, secondly, to dredge a new straight channel of approximately 1.8 km.