State rolls out Thailand Riviera plans

The Department of Rural Roads is launching a project to upgrade three routes across the country to stimulate the tourism industry and local economy.

Pathom Chaloeywaret, the department’s director-general, said on Wednesday the project included a 1,500 kilometre route along the Gulf of Thailand from Samut Prakan to Narathiwat, a 750km route along the Mekong River from Loei to Ubon Ratchathani and a 175km route in the Khao Yai mountains in Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Ratchasima, Prachin Buri and Sa Kaeo.

Mr Pathom said the project has been initiated to improve road networks to promote tourism as part of the 20-year strategic plan.

Under the project, landscapes and communities along the three routes will be developed as tourist attractions. According to Mr Pathom, the 1,500km route which has been named “Thailand’s Riviera” has been divided into four phases.

The first phase…