THREE large signs have gone up around Patong warning tourists to beware of bogus time share or holiday club products.
The signs - in key locations - were authorised by the Mayor of Patong, Pian Keesin, in reaction to complaints about time share touts and the post-contract service of some operators.
The signs say: WARNING Many offers for ''Time share'' ''Holiday club'' deals may be misrepresentation or bogus products.
It gives a similar warning in Thai before mentioning a hotline telephone number - 076 342079 - and two email addresses, timesharescam@phuketcity.go.th and holidayclubscam@phuketcity.go.th
Phuket council member Weerawit Kuresombut, one of several councillors who had been lobbying Mayor Pian for action on the touts, said: ''I'm pleased with what the mayor has done.
''Everybody is keen to do business on Phuket but some businesses make things worse here.
''They do not even pay for the cost of picking up their garbage.''
Khun Weerawit said about 800 million baht was taken out of Thailand each year through time share.
Tourists have complained about constant harassment from touts on motorcycles or on foot all over Patong. Once people are pressured into an extended interview, they become subjected to intense sales pressure.
Phuket has several reputable brand-name holiday or vacation clubs but none of them employ touts in Patong.
The signs are at the t-junction beside the Patong temple, at the beach end of Soi Bangla, and behind the Jungceylon shopping mall.
Phuket Tourist Drowns in Wedding HorrorThe signs - in key locations - were authorised by the Mayor of Patong, Pian Keesin, in reaction to complaints about time share touts and the post-contract service of some operators.
The signs say: WARNING Many offers for ''Time share'' ''Holiday club'' deals may be misrepresentation or bogus products.
It gives a similar warning in Thai before mentioning a hotline telephone number - 076 342079 - and two email addresses, timesharescam@phuketcity.go.th and holidayclubscam@phuketcity.go.th
Phuket council member Weerawit Kuresombut, one of several councillors who had been lobbying Mayor Pian for action on the touts, said: ''I'm pleased with what the mayor has done.
''Everybody is keen to do business on Phuket but some businesses make things worse here.
''They do not even pay for the cost of picking up their garbage.''
Khun Weerawit said about 800 million baht was taken out of Thailand each year through time share.
Tourists have complained about constant harassment from touts on motorcycles or on foot all over Patong. Once people are pressured into an extended interview, they become subjected to intense sales pressure.
Phuket has several reputable brand-name holiday or vacation clubs but none of them employ touts in Patong.
The signs are at the t-junction beside the Patong temple, at the beach end of Soi Bangla, and behind the Jungceylon shopping mall.
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Can we have one in Kata too?
Posted by VFaye on February 23, 2011 12:27