Nan Riverfront Development Project in Phitsanulok Launches Model Integrating Tourism and Environment

Provincial executives of Phitsanulok, together with civil society groups and academics, launched a Nan Riverfront development project last Friday. The initiative aims to improve the landscape, restore the riverside ecosystem, and create sustainable cultural tourism routes. The project proposes development approaches that consider the needs of local communities and measures to prevent flash flooding, which has historically affected riverside areas.

The plan includes upgrading riverside walkways, stormwater management systems, planting native species to restore riverbanks, and creating community activity spaces such as seating plazas, organic agricultural product markets, and stages for cultural performances. The project’s feasibility study states that restoring the riverside ecosystem will increase biodiversity and reduce long-term bank erosion. There are also transportation management plans to link the area with key tourist sites, making travel more convenient for both residents and visitors.

Riverside residents said they want development that does not destroy their traditional way of life. Many families depend on fishing, vegetable cultivation, and trading at local floating markets. Accordingly, the plan includes measures to support existing livelihoods, such as establishing a water resource management learning center, vocational training institutes to increase incomes, and marketing support for community OTOP products, so that tangible benefits reach local people.

On the environmental side, the project is backed by research from local university experts in water and ecosystems, who emphasize nature-based solutions—such as using native plants to stabilize banks and filter surface water instead of building concrete structures that can damage aquatic habitats. The design also addresses reducing pollutant discharge into the river through community wastewater treatment systems and promoting household-level waste management, which will help curb water pollution and protect freshwater ecosystems.

Economic impacts are expected to be positive. If implemented with public participation, the project would stimulate the service sector, including small accommodations, local restaurants, and community guides. In particular, developing viewpoints and walking trails that connect to temples and city museums would encourage tourists to spend more time and spread income more widely across communities. However, experts warn that visitor capacity management and environmental protection measures must accompany development to avoid negative effects from overcrowding.

The provincial governor said the project is a prototype intended for adaptation to other riverfront areas within the province. If successful, it will serve as a case study demonstrating that urban development and environmental conservation can proceed together. He called on all parties—government, private sector, and local communities—to cooperate to ensure the project’s sustainability and that it meets Phitsanulok’s economic, social, and environmental objectives.