PHUKET, Thailand – Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Piyarat Tiyapairat visited Phuket Fishing Port on August 1 to review operations and discuss plans to enhance port services and the local marine economy. The visit was held at the Fish Marketing Organization’s Phuket Fishing Port Office in Ratsada Subdistrict, Mueang Phuket District. Phuket Governor Chotnarin Kerdsom, Cooperative Promotion Department Director-General Niran Munthida, and representatives from relevant agencies participated in the inspection.
Piyarat stated that the visit aimed to assess the port’s operations and potential to support growth in Phuket’s fisheries and marine economy. Discussions focused on improving space management, developing infrastructure, and installing clean-energy systems such as rooftop solar panels to lower energy costs. Port operations should align with seasonal demand. Unloading capacity should increase during the tourism season and peak fishing periods, while available space can generate additional revenue during slower times.
The Deputy Minister urged the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Marine Department, and Department of Fisheries to coordinate in establishing consistent development standards for fishing ports nationwide and to enhance the competitiveness of Thailand’s fisheries sector. The ministry also plans to move forward with developing Phuket Fishing Port as a Seafood Hub. The facility has strong potential and generates the second-highest revenue among Fish Marketing Organization sites nationwide, averaging 15–20 million baht annually. Additional consultations are needed to ensure compliance with relevant laws and development plans. Authorities also discussed accommodating tuna fishing vessels after navigation channel improvements and addressing damaged or long-moored vessels to maximize use of the port area. (NNT)
