On 3th March 2014, Phuket City Municipality held an open forum to listen to opinions regarding the study and design of an Energy and Environmental Knowledge Park in Saphan Hin, which would include the development of solid waste disposal management and wastewater treatment systems.
Phuket City Mayor said “We have already held meetings and public hearings for the proposed development of an Energy and Environmental Knowledge Park, and waste disposal and waste water treatment systems, in an area close to Saphan Hin Park. These have been held to learn more about the issue and to listen to opinions and suggestions from those who would participate in the project’s development and from the people in the nearby area.
“Under our low-carbon city project we have already planted new trees to help rid our city of pollution, and to also improve the look of the area, and we need to do more to improve the environment. If we go ahead with the Energy and Environmental Knowledge Park this will provide everyone with information on renewable energy, it will include various types of model demonstrations, videos and teaching material on energy and the environment. It will also include data on producing electricity from waste incinerators, waste disposal and waste water treatment systems.
“The feedback we have received so far from participants in the project development shows that we must take into consideration the conservation of energy, use of renewable energy, retaining the original environment, such as the mangrove ecosystems, seaside green spaces. We must also ensure that people’s lifestyles are not affected, or if possible improved, and that the additional construction must conform to the characteristics and uniqueness of the area. However, to enable us to do this we need cooperation from the various involved agencies. To go forward, we need to see the possible project plans, perform surveys and get detailed designs for construction of all the projects, the total costs of which we hope will be less than 200 million baht.”