News Analysis
THE SCALE of just one segment of Phuket's lawlessness was revealed today in figures disclosing that more than half of Phuket's accommodation is, in effect, not fully legal.
And the still-growing official Phuket tally of 702 hotels, resorts and guesthouses, comprising 42,684 rooms, demonstrates plainly why the number of tourists to Phuket may be increasing, but there are an even faster-increasing number of establishments squabbling for the extra pie.
The extraordinary total of 61.12 percent - or 429 establishments - that do not have complete legal standing affects the potential tax income that the island hopes to derive to provide such services as lifeguards and the protection of the island's environment from illegal blue pipes running into canals or the Andaman Sea.
How can an island with hopes of establishing and maintaining an international reputation for quality tourism get itself into such a fine mess? That question wasn't asked, or answered today.
But at least the meeting of representatives from Phuket's local authorities, the Hotels Association, Phuket Provincial Hall officials, the Natural Resources and the Environment Department and the Thai Hotels Association clarified the scale of the problem.
Vice Governor Niwit Aroonrat, who chaired the gathering at the Phuket Merlin Hotel in Phuket City, raised the issue of whether there should be an amnesty to regularise the situation. He will head a special committee to investigate the matter further.
Here are the official Provincial Hall figures:
Total Phuket accommodation establishments: 702
Total Phuket number of rooms: 42,684
Total Phuket establishments with all permits: 273 (38.89 percent)
Establishments without permission: 429, 13,712 rooms (51.12 percent)
PHUKET CITY
Total: 310 establishments, 19,099 rooms
With permits: 140, 12,856 rooms
Without permits: 170, 6243 rooms
KATHU, including Patong
Total: 317 establishments, 18,544 rooms
With permits: 88, 11,275 rooms
Without permits: 229, 7269 rooms
THALANG
Total: 75 establishments, 5041 rooms
With permits: 45, 4841 rooms
Without permits: 30, 200 rooms
Latest News from Phuketwan
How Phuket's Baby Boom Collides with Corruption
PHOTO ALBUM A pregnant woman who presented to give birth for the second time in two months came as a sign that Phuket's Burma baby boom was out of control. Here's the real story.
How Phuket's Baby Boom Collides with Corruption
Phuket's Burmese Wave Douses English at ATMs
Latest A Thai bank recognises the amazing social change taking place on Phuket by replacing English as the main alternative language at its ATMs and substituting the Burmese language.
Phuket's Burmese Wave Douses English at ATMs
Long-Stay Tourist Dies in Phuket Balcony Plunge
Latest A Thai woman is being questioned by police in Patong after her European husband, a long stay tourist, plunged to his death from the fourth floor of an apartment block.
Long-Stay Tourist Dies in Phuket Balcony Plunge
Phuket Passenger Surge: High Hopes for High Season
Latest Figures for August air passengers reflect Phuket's strong comeback from last year's downturn and this year's Bangkok upheaval. Downturn and upheaval are nowhere to be seen now.
Phuket Passenger Surge: High Hopes for High Season
Phuket Tuk-Tuk Wins Big Baht Race Against Crime
PHOTO ALBUM A snatch and ride thief who allegedly made off with 170,000 baht and headed for Phuket's bus station was taken for a ride by a tuk tuk . . . to his new destination, a police station.
Phuket Tuk-Tuk Wins Big Baht Race Against Crime
If it was only in the hotel industry, it would fine, but unfortunately it is the same problem with the too many undeclared and illegal businesses such as in the diving industry, boating charter, motor and car rental businesses, illegal tour guides and the list is so long that we may say that most of Phuket residents, Thais and foreigners alike are dealing business in complete illegality with Thai laws.
Unfortunately that had happen because greedy corrupt civil servants close their eyes and blame others. By the way, those properly declared and paying full taxes are the losers since too long time.
Posted by Whistle-Blower on September 8, 2010 20:23