The permits, issued by the Phuket Office of the Treasury Department, will allow work to be carried out at the Chartered Bank House and the former Phuket prison, both in Phuket Town.
A ceremony was held at the Chartered Bank House on Friday where the permits were handed over by Phuket Treasury Officer Aisoon Suthamthewakun to Rewat Areerob, President of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO). Also in attendance were council members, PPAO executives and relevant representatives from a variety of government departments.
The project at the Chartered Bank House site, which covers an area of 6 rai 56 square wah, will be used to build and develop the Thailand Creative Design Center (TCDC).
The former prison site on Damrong Rd, covering an area of 37 rai 2 ngan 41 square wah, will be used to create a public park and sustainable green space in the heart of Phuket Town.
A budget of B169.5 million was given the green light to allow the design and development of the latter in June of this year.
The plan is to transform the site into an “eco-tourism attraction” and green area that is to be “the lungs of Phuket Town” where people can exercise and enjoy the outdoor space.
Development work on the project started as far back as late November 2022 when the wall around the old Phuket Prison was demolished.
There was then a public hearing held by officials on Dec 12 last year to solicit feedback and suggestions from local residents on what to do with the proposed green space.