THE Governor of Phuket, Wichai Praisa-nob, said today there was often a subtle, unwritten agreement that enabled foreigners to control what was done with land on Phuket.

While the letter of the law was being obeyed, the effect of a marriage or a nominee arrangement in most cases meant foreign control of Thai real estate, he said.

The governor's comments were sought by a reporter today amid apparent growing concern about the actual levels of control foreigners have, especially along the island's prime coast.

A controversial academic report on ''alien ownership'' of property on Phuket seems to be a reflection of widespread uneasiness about foreign investment in land.

The report, loosely translated, is titled ''Summary Report: Real Estate Holdings of Aliens.'' It is likely to be dissected and discussed for weeks and months to come.

We could not find any figures in the document to support the Bangkok Post's page one lead article on Monday that carried the heading:''Foreigners 'Own 90 percent of Phuket beach land'.''

There are, however, many other elements that will be the talk of the island. One researcher told Phuketwan today that when it came to the issue of foreign ownership, ''Phuket is quite critical.''

The report was prepared by Siriporn Sajjanont and a team of researchers from the Economics Faculty at Sukhothai Thammnathirat Open University.

It was done with the support of the Thailand Research Fund. The summary stretches to 43 pages.

The team talked to focus groups, the Land Office, the Chamber of Commerce, Immigration, the Industrial Council, the Department of Business Development, the Board of Investment, and local mayors and officials.

Their research included aspects of ''alien'' ownership in Rayong province and Chiang Mai, but on Phuket the main focus was on the south of the island: Patong, Kata-Karon, Chalong and Rawai.

Our conclusion after reading the document is that much of the constant paranoia and uncertainty about foreign ownership has simply bubbled to the surface in this piece of research.

The report makes the point that foreign investment is a double-edged sword: Thailand needs the expertise and money to develop, but concerns remain about the medium-term and long-term outcomes.

What's plainest of all is that Thais and foreigners need to jointly deal with the doubts that have been raised by this document before more damage is done to the property sector.

The summary says that foreigners are circumventing the law through Thai wives, Thai lawyers and Thai nominees, creating ownership arrangements where the foreigners have real control.

Time share comes in for particular attention, with the report noting that investment in this sector helps the economy to grow but extremely difficult to regulate when it comes to taxes especially.

The report raises questions about the cost of disposing of future garbage, the continuing threat to the environment, and other aspects that generally come under the heading: who pays, and how?

The report also notes that in 10 years, Phuket expects to have 10 million tourists a year. The report questions the viability of the island under that kind of intense pressure.

According to the author, the Department of Special Investigations had noted five areas of special interest to foreign investors: Pattaya, Samui, Phang Nan, Hua Hin and Phuket.

One suggestion put forward is the concept of ''zoned investment'' for foreigners, where regulators could be certain of outcomes.

Concern is expressed about the way the prospect of large amounts of foreign money have become a driving force behind Thais encroaching on hillsides, mangroves and national parks, intent on cashing in.

The popularity of villas and condos is noted, and the suggestion is made that Singapore's Residential Property Act, which carefully limits foreign ownership, could be a role model.

On Phuket, the spirit of the law was clearly being breached more and more, the report says.

What should be noted is that this is an academic piece of research, with no official significance. But it has served the useful purpose of bringing doubts and uncertainties to the surface.

Paranoia is the problem everyone shares. Now all parties with a vested interest in the future of Phuket need to sit down and hold one very large, very frank group therapy session.


'I Was Drugged, Robbed,' says Phi Phi Visitor
Latest A British traveller believes he was drugged and robbed while on Phi Phi, adding another mystery on an island where the deaths of two young women remain unsolved.
'I Was Drugged, Robbed,' says Phi Phi Visitor

Phuket Tuk-Tuk Drivers Learning How to be Liked
Latest Phuket's Karon beach service industry receives some good advice and aims to please tourists so they come back. A celebrity television talking head leads the reformation.
Phuket Tuk-Tuk Drivers Learning How to be Liked

Laguna Phuket Says, 'Good Morning, Vietnam'
Latest Laguna Phuket and Banyan Tree are pioneering brands in Thailand that are now becoming pioneering brands as well in Vietnam. Multiplication is the name of the game.
Laguna Phuket Says, 'Good Morning, Vietnam'

MediaWATCH: Thais Own Phuket, says Land Office
News Digest Foreign ownership of Phuket officially rejected; Michael Jackson 'homicide'; Thailand out of recession; Shame for bad Brit tourists; Radisson hacked; Le Meridien trio surf heroes.
MediaWATCH: Thais Own Phuket, says Land Office

Human Rights a Key Issue for Asean in Hua Hin
Opinion/Analysis The treatment of the Rohingya by Thailand raises fresh questions about the country's attitude to human rights as Asean leaders get set to meet in Cha AmHua Hin
Human Rights a Key Issue for Asean in Hua Hin

Wanted: A Shipwreck for Every Phuket Beach
Photo Tribute Phuket's Sky Dive Reef has been destroyed but more attempts will be made to create artificial reefs off every Phuket beach, says the Thai Diving Association CEO.
Wanted: A Shipwreck for Every Phuket Beach

Burma Visa Runners Face Temperature Checks
Latest Phuket expats who cross to Victoria Point in Burma for visa renewals will find themselves subjected to a temperature check for reasons that so far remain a mystery.
Burma Visa Runners Face Temperature Checks

Phuket 'Scene of FBI, North Korean Arms Dealings'
Latest Phuket appeals to everyone, even, according to a news report on North Korea's counterfeit black market, arms dealers and FBI agents. It's the Uncle Sam Sham Scam.
Phuket 'Scene of FBI, North Korean Arms Dealings'

Phuket Romances its Way onto Movie Screens
Latest Phuket, in real life all comedy, drama, action and romance, has finally been made into a movie. ''It's very small but it's big,'' says the leading man. Yes, that's Phuket.
Phuket Romances its Way onto Movie Screens

Pacific Blue, Jetstar Open to Australia, Singapore
Latest Two low cost flight providers produce new flights and offer bargains between Australia and Phuket and Singapore and Phuket. Could it be War in the Air? Passengers hope so.
Pacific Blue, Jetstar Open to Australia, Singapore

Phuket's Beaches Fail the Five-Star Enviro Test
Latest A new star rating system for Thailand's beaches leaves the best on Phuket lagging a little. There's one local island with a five star beach, but it's not Phuket.
Phuket's Beaches Fail the Five-Star Enviro Test