Japan to invest in hot spring and port businesses in Ranong

BANGKOK, August 9 (TNA) - Masaki Matsumoto, a coordinator of Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), and his delegation met Peerasak Hinmuangkao, Governor of Thailand's southern resort Ranong province, Thursday to pave the way for Japan's investment in hot spring and port business in Ranong. JETRO sees development potential in the hot spring business in Ranong, but local operators and government officials have not met tourists’ demands so far. The delegation views that Japanese-styled Onsen facilities and inns for hot springs should greatly increase the business value and promote tourism in Ranong, which possesses quality natural resources and can easily connect to Myanmar. At present, most Japanese tourism-related operators in Thailand have their businesses in Phuket and Phangnga provinces, also in the Thai South, and JETRO hopes operators and authorities in Ranong can support the tourism development. JETRO also views that the Ranong port has high potential to facilitate transport between the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea and to serve cargo distribution to India and other South Asian countries. (TNA)