PHUKET's new governor has indicated that developers may find it difficult to win approval for projects that do not benefit the island in obvious ways.
He met today with Jumeirah developer Dilokpol Sundaravej, of the TGR Group Asia, and was outspoken in his criticism of ''people who pluck the stars from the sky.''
The Jumeirah project involves about 40 up-market villas and a resort on 170 rai on the small island of Koh Rat, off Phuket's east coast.
Dr Preecha Ruangjan, who has been in the role for one month, told the Jumeirah managing director, his wife and his marketing manager: ''You come and you take. You never give anything back.''
The governor, whose words surprised others present in the room, urged the Jumeirah team (and other developers) to go through regular departments to seek permission for projects.
It is customary for both Thais and foreigners seeking the go-ahead for innovations and development projects to meet with the governor before proceeding.
The Jumeirah team was intending to discuss new projects, beyond Koh Rat, with the governor. But the governor's words brought the conversation to an abrupt halt.
Before meeting the Governor, Khun Dilokpol told Phuketwan that Phuket could become very prosperous if everybody joined together with the aim of growing the five-star market for tourism and property.
His Middle East backers wanted to invest in more resort and villa projects. Phuket needed more quality resorts to compare and compete with Bali, he said.
However, when the meeting began, Governor Preecha took a different view. He said he was surprised by the level of development when he arrived on Phuket.
As a newcomer, he decided to look around the island as an ordinary citizen would, without people knowing that he was the new governor.
On the first weekend, he and his wife drove around, and got lost. ''Don't worry,'' he told her. ''We must still be on the island because we haven't crossed the bridge.''
Later, he went exploring on the back of a motorcycle driven by Promchote Traivate, the local representative for the Tourism and Sport Department.
One day, the governor went for a walk by the sea, he told the Jumeirah team, and was confronted by people who told him it was a private beach.
He did not tell the person who he was, but went to other beaches to see what would happen.
''Even the governor of Phuket cannot walk on many of the island's beaches,'' he said. The governor said that Phuket's environment was not protected in the proper way.
His home province of Pijit, north of Bangkok, was better protected, he told the Jumeirah team.
The governor's response today after his experience on the ''private'' beach can be expected to have consequences for developers of all kinds of projects on Phuket.
Dr Preecha has already established a reputation for turning up unexpectedly in places to see for himself whenever he can.
His first-person approach has already been applied to several disputes.
He told the Jumeirah group that he would prefer people who wished to approach him to take their concepts to the appropriate authorities first.
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Phuket Governor Sets Out new Philosophy
Phuket's new governor spells out his priorities and his philosophy to representatives from most government and local departments. The general outline makes a handy guide to his thinking.
Phuket Governor Sets Out new Philosophy
He met today with Jumeirah developer Dilokpol Sundaravej, of the TGR Group Asia, and was outspoken in his criticism of ''people who pluck the stars from the sky.''
The Jumeirah project involves about 40 up-market villas and a resort on 170 rai on the small island of Koh Rat, off Phuket's east coast.
Dr Preecha Ruangjan, who has been in the role for one month, told the Jumeirah managing director, his wife and his marketing manager: ''You come and you take. You never give anything back.''
The governor, whose words surprised others present in the room, urged the Jumeirah team (and other developers) to go through regular departments to seek permission for projects.
It is customary for both Thais and foreigners seeking the go-ahead for innovations and development projects to meet with the governor before proceeding.
The Jumeirah team was intending to discuss new projects, beyond Koh Rat, with the governor. But the governor's words brought the conversation to an abrupt halt.
Before meeting the Governor, Khun Dilokpol told Phuketwan that Phuket could become very prosperous if everybody joined together with the aim of growing the five-star market for tourism and property.
His Middle East backers wanted to invest in more resort and villa projects. Phuket needed more quality resorts to compare and compete with Bali, he said.
However, when the meeting began, Governor Preecha took a different view. He said he was surprised by the level of development when he arrived on Phuket.
As a newcomer, he decided to look around the island as an ordinary citizen would, without people knowing that he was the new governor.
On the first weekend, he and his wife drove around, and got lost. ''Don't worry,'' he told her. ''We must still be on the island because we haven't crossed the bridge.''
Later, he went exploring on the back of a motorcycle driven by Promchote Traivate, the local representative for the Tourism and Sport Department.
One day, the governor went for a walk by the sea, he told the Jumeirah team, and was confronted by people who told him it was a private beach.
He did not tell the person who he was, but went to other beaches to see what would happen.
''Even the governor of Phuket cannot walk on many of the island's beaches,'' he said. The governor said that Phuket's environment was not protected in the proper way.
His home province of Pijit, north of Bangkok, was better protected, he told the Jumeirah team.
The governor's response today after his experience on the ''private'' beach can be expected to have consequences for developers of all kinds of projects on Phuket.
Dr Preecha has already established a reputation for turning up unexpectedly in places to see for himself whenever he can.
His first-person approach has already been applied to several disputes.
He told the Jumeirah group that he would prefer people who wished to approach him to take their concepts to the appropriate authorities first.
Phuket Wants Its Beaches Back
Opinion Some of Phuket's beaches have been invaded by people who pretend that they own them. Even the Governor has been told 'This beach is private.' It's time to put a stop to this piracy.
Phuket Wants Its Beaches back
Phuket Mourns Princess: Photo Tribute
Photo Album An island and a nation pause to farewell a princess who won the hearts of a people with her good deeds and loving ways. On Phuket, hundreds gather at three temples to bid goodbye.
Phuket Mourns Princess: Photo Tribute
Phuket Governor Sets Out new Philosophy
Phuket's new governor spells out his priorities and his philosophy to representatives from most government and local departments. The general outline makes a handy guide to his thinking.
Phuket Governor Sets Out new Philosophy
I want to say a big big "thank you" to the new Governor, Dr Preecha Ruangjan.
If he and his staff can really do something with the illegal use of beaches as "private" I will appreciate it very much.
Many times I try to go in beaches like the Meridien/Relax Bay or the little one on the road to Kata view point (Nui beach??) or Pansea beach....only to be stopped or asking for payment.
So: thanks again, Governor. Claude
Posted by claude on November 19, 2008 12:21