The Ministry of Public Health is upgrading public health in five southern provinces on the Andaman coast in an effort to free them from communicable diseases, as a way of creating confidence among tourists.

The five provinces include Ranong, Phang-nga, Phuket, Krabi, and Trang, which boast beautiful tourist attractions and have great potential to be further developed as major tourist cities of Asia. They brought in 100 billion baht in tourism earnings in 2006, accounting for 20 percent of the country’s tourism income.

Deputy Public Health Minister Dr. Phansiri Kulnartsiri said that the project, which began in June 2010 and will continue until 2011, includes food safety and medical services of international standards. Emphasis is placed on four major areas. In the first area, hospitals and health centers will be improved, so that they will be able to accommodate more foreign visitors.

In the second area, the five provinces will become freed from seven communicable diseases, namely rabies, malaria, hemorrhagic fever, leptospirosis, cholera, food poisoning, and legionnaires’ disease. The third area seeks to ensure food safety in all food outlets, which will have the quality standard of Good Manufacturing Practice, or GMP. The fourth area, environmental health, aims to provide clean toilets and dispose of garbage in a systematic manner to reduce environmental problems. The objective is to make the five provinces become more livable.

Today, a health protection center has been set up in Phuket and is being operated by several relevant agencies. A strategic plan has also been worked out to link with all provinces on the Andaman coast through information technology.

Recognized as the Pearl of the Andaman Sea, Phuket is one of the most famous tourist destinations in southern Thailand. Apart from its natural beauty, this world-renowned beach resort offers many tourism products and services. It is also known as a sea tour center in this part of the world.

A two-hour drive from Phuket, Phang-nga is famous for eco-tourism sites and quiet beaches along the coastline. Mu Ko Surin and Mu Ko Similan in Phang-nga are major diving spots that suit both snorkeling and scuba diving.

Famous for diverse attractions, especially peaceful beaches, picturesque coral reefs, and clear emerald seas, Krabi is known as a center for eco-tourism in the Andaman Sea. It offers many large and small scenic islands to explore. Among these islands, the most popular ones are the Phi Phi islands.

Trang offers numerous natural attractions, both on land and sea. It is a perfect place for adventurous travelers and those who want to escape from the crowds. Ranong is bordered by Myanmar and the Indian Ocean to the west. Within its compact area, the province contains various natural attractions and is blessed with hot springs and mangrove forests.