WHILE Koh Samui has been unsuccessful in its bid to become a city, it is on its way to becoming, at least, a special district, a status that could in turn lead to the attainment ofits ultimate goal of, well,  cityhood. Recently Samui Mayor Ramnet Jaikwang welcomed to Samui members of a Special Development Subcommittee involved with the task of conducting public hearings to get people’s opinions on the establishment of Samui asa special district.

This special-district plan is in line with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s policyto improve the economic and social development of special areas with potentials of becoming metropolitan cities.

The public consultation National govt mulls special district status for Koh Samui was conducted at the main municipal auditorium.

The subcommittee was composed of Suwat Vaneesubutra, deputy secretary general of the National Social and Economic Development board; Associate Prof. Mana Phongsathat of the

Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University; Preecha Ronnarong of the Public Works and City Planning Department; Weerachai Chomsakhon; and Phaisan Mahabhannaporn, an adviser to the Prime Minister.

Koh Samui has been chosen as the pilot area for the administrationof special districts.

After the consultation, the subcommittee conducted ocular inspections of selected areas on the island to take closer looks at some of the island’s problems.