LOCAL business people, residents and environmentalists have objected to plans to develop the Monkeyland tourist attraction on Tanan Island, off Chalong pier.
Their concerns were raised at a special conference hosted by the Phuket Governor’s Office and the Department of Special Investigation at the Royal Phuket City Hotel on November 3.
The conference was chaired by Phuket Governor Smith Palawatvichai, and Tavee Saudklaung, the president of the DSI.
Several environmental issues were addressed at the conference, including the Monkeyland proposal, and people trespassing in mangrove forests.
The Monkeyland developers plan to build their tourist attraction on Tanan Island next year, and debate about the proposal dominated the conference.
The tiny island of Tanan sits undisturbed in Chalong Bay, and local environmentalists are concerned the project, which includes a private pier, would increase the volume of boat traffic in an already busy harbour area, leading to increased water- pollution and damage to under water eco-systems.
Local fisherman said they would be unable to fish in the surrounding waters if the volume of boat traffic increased.
Locals were also worried about what effects the introduction of monkeys would have on the environment, and environmentalists called for mandatory screening procedures to check for diseases in the monkeys
Concerns were also raised about trespassers going into the mangrove forests in Kukoo, Muang District, and Paklog in Talang district, disrupting the local ecology.
The DSI has promised to follow up on all of the concerns raised at the conference.
Mr Saudklaung said his department would take immediate action to remedy some the issues raised, and would work closely with local law enforcement agencies to ensure co-operation from Phuket residents and businesses.