Dasta head makes man-made infrastructure key priority

The new head of the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Dasta) has vowed to drive new man-made infrastructure, including the long-awaited Phu Kradueng cable car, as well as universal design facilities to elevate community-based tourism.

- MOLPASORN SHOOWONG

Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, director-general of Dasta, said during his four-year term he wants to complete significant development projects to lift tourism revenue through supply side improvement.

Mr Siripakorn took on the new role at Dasta in April after working for the Tourism Authority of Thailand for 34 years, with his last role deputy governor for international marketing for Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas.

He said while the cable car project in Loei has been debated by stakeholders and conservationists for many decades, the majority of people in the province now support the project.

There are still some concerns among environmental bodies, such as the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation, but Mr Siripakorn said the main issue is how to manage the operation efficiently and create minimal impact on the environment.