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Thailand: Phuket Province - A “Creative Island” Model |
| Source: |
thailand.prd.go.th |
| Source Date: |
Wednesday, April 27, 2011 |
| Focus: |
ICT for MDGs
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| Country: |
Thailand |
| Created: |
May 03, 2011 |
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Thailand’s largest island, Phuket is striving to be recognized as a “creative island” model in line with the Government’s policy of “Creative Thailand” and the province’s strategy for developing itself as a world-renowned marine tourism city.
According to the Working Group for the Development of Phuket Creative City, chaired by Mr. Tri Augkaradacha, Phuket Governor, the Ministry of Commerce has selected Phuket to join the Creative City Prototypes project.
In the project, which was launched in October 2010 and will end in August 2011, a contest has been arranged to select 10 provinces across Thailand as prototypes for development as creative cities. These provinces must have cultural capital, folk wisdom, tourism attractions, or distinctive products, thus enabling them to increase the economic value from their products and services, generate employment, and stimulate the local economy. Moreover, they should also have creative industries that receive support and promotion for their cultural heritage, artistic designs, and craftsmanship.
The Working Group for the Development of Phuket Creative City has come up with a plan, based on five dimensions, to develop Phuket as an island prominent in cultural identity, innovation, and sustainable tourism development.
The first dimension is “culture.” Phuket’s local culture will link with tourism, such as local lifestyle, the Thalang Road tourism site, the classic Sino-Portuguese architecture, and the tin mine museum. These cultural attractions will encourage tourists to spend more time and do more things on the island.
The second dimension, “people,” seeks to recognize model people with creativity who can serve as a source of inspiration to the new generation. Forums for creative people, such as song composers, farmers, and folk doctors, will be arranged for the exchange of views and experience.
In the third dimension, “product,” both local products and services in creative forms will be developed to increase value and generate more job opportunities. For instance, cashew nuts can be processed into cashew nut juice, called “cashewy.”
The fourth dimension, “community enterprise,” aims to bring local products to put on display and sale at one place or area, such as Phuket Innovation Park and Phuket Fantasea.
As for the fifth dimension, “industry,” one goal is to develop Phuket as a center for yacht design, to attract more tourists from cruise ships and yachts to visit Thailand. Moreover, filmmakers will be urged to use Phuket as their shooting location, which will make this island better known to the world at large.
With its cultural assets, diverse tourism resources, and talent for innovation, Phuket has great potential for development as a creative island, which will contribute to Thailand’s creative economy.
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