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The protest message was plain. Alex Tours first, who next?

Photo by phuketwan.com

Alex Tours Decides to Stay Shut, Says Phuket Protest Leader

By Nuttaporn Thongsri

Thursday, January 31, 2013

PHUKET: The Russian owner of Alex Tours - focus of a protest by residents of the Bang Tao district of Phuket - does not plan to reopen the business, the Mayor of Cherng Talay, Ma-Ann Samran, said today.

He said local agitators now aimed to concentrate on whether Russian staff at nearby restaurants had permission to work in Thailand.

Signs for Alex Tours were among those torn down when local protesters took to the streets of Phuket on Monday.

The protest in the Bang Tao district follows a blockade and meetings further south in Phuket's Karon area, where several Russian-run massage parlors were later closed.

''We will check to see what the Labor Office has to say,'' Mayor Ma-Ann Samran said.

''So far we have restrained residents who would like to burn Russian businesses.

''But it would be much more effective if government officers enforced the laws rather than just wait for residents to protest.''

Comments

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''But it would be much more effective if government officers enforced the laws rather than just wait for residents to protest.''

Many a true word spoken in jest!!

Posted by Mister Ree on January 31, 2013 13:23

if we enforced the laws the residents wouldn't be tempted to burn businesses down, amazing thailand.

Posted by slickmelb on January 31, 2013 20:40

The taxis seem to be the rulers of this island. Strange, they complain about illegality around the tour business and yet they conduct city tours without a proper tourist license. Agree with Mr Ree, should enforce the law. As it is now, corruption has invited foreigners to cheat.

Posted by Hockey on January 31, 2013 21:15

looking forward to the promised(!) bus from airport to tourist areas. Maybe a start for a new era, with public transportation's on Phuket.
This Island is totally uncivilized.
And the Taxi scammers rules!

Posted by cliwe on February 1, 2013 05:40

Ain't there also a law against illegal local businesses... like the taxi rip offs ?

Posted by Resident on February 1, 2013 06:14

"He said local agitators now aimed to concentrate on whether Russian staff at nearby restaurants had permission to work in Thailand"

If they don't have permit, do protestors hope to be employed instead ? Or do they hope to push for work permit so restaurant has by law to hire 4 more thais which cannot be afforded to be paid therefore end of the business and everybody russians and thais out

Posted by paul on February 2, 2013 18:37

I say this is 1 step in the right direction. Keep Thailand "THAI" so it can be enjoyed by visitors. That is the reason people visit and retire there. The Thai people, Land of Smiles.
Nice going citizens !! Take back your Land and preserve you culture.

Posted by John on February 4, 2013 01:02

@john...you are so very naive. The Thai culture is a wonderful thing but it is not evident in Phuket. In Phuket the Thai culture is greed and they want this continued with NO COMPETITION.

Posted by mike on February 4, 2013 11:41

@ John
Yes keep it Thai for the visitors, so visitors will pay exorbitant prices for trnasport, food, drinks, hotels cos there is no competition to keep prices low, visitors will have to pick up Thai to communicate cos heck if the locals will learn how to speak your language since you want the real Thai-ness, and why should they when they can do absolutely nothing and you still pay them loads cos you don't have a choice.
Competition is healthy, and necessary in the free market. They should be looking at how to compete with better prices, better service to take their business back, not force them out by force.

Posted by May on February 5, 2013 19:49

Monday May 6, 2024