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German Ambassador Rolf Schulze with Governor Maitree Intrusud today

Ambassador Praises Phuket Action on Taxis, Jet-Skis and Expects Hon Con Forums to Return

Friday, July 18, 2014
PHUKET: Authorities on Phuket deserved praise for acting to end Phuket's taxi and tuk-tuk mafia and jet-ski scams, the German Ambassador, Rolf Schulze, said today.

He said he had been informed that authorities ''finally are taking things seriously and are taking the appropriate measures.''

Mr Schulze was speaking after a private meeting with Phuket Governor Maitree Intrusud at Phuket Provincial Hall in Phuket City.

The ambassador also said he thought regular meetings should be held between Phuket's honorary consuls and the island's administrators.

The idea was introduced by Mr Schulze's predecessor as German ambassador, Dr Hanns H. Schumacher, who persuaded Phuket Governor Wichai Praisa-ngob to try the idea every three months.

The meetings have seldom been held under the present governor.

''I think it's a very good forum,'' Ambassador Schulze said. ''It's very important that the honorary consuls and the authorities of Phuket City and of Phuket province meet at regular intervals and that they have an exchange of views and an exchange of information.''

The ambassador said that Phuket was ''very well known for its hospitality, for its welcoming people, its lovely beaches, so it's quite natural that Germans and other tourists come here.

''Many German residents live here permanently. I think all my compatriots are privileged and honored that they can live on Phuket. They observe the rules and regulations of the host country and they are happy to be here.''

The ambassador said he would like to thank the authorities for ''all they do for foreign visitors.

''I have been informed by the governor and the police commissioner that the authorities are doing a lot to improve the security of foreign tourists,'' he said.

''I'm thinking in terms of the taxi mafia, which was a realy big problem and which was detrimental to the good reputation of Phuket.

''I have been informed in my meetings that the authorities finally are taking things seriously and are taking the appropriate measures for safety with jet-ski scams.

''That was a real problem for tourists which also received a lot of coverage in Germany.''

The ambassador is on Phuket to mark the end of the 12-year term as honorary consul by Dirk Naumann and the appointment of Mr Naumann's daughter, Anette Jimenez Hoechstetter, as the new honorary consul.

Comments

Comments have been disabled for this article.

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what actions were taken against the jet skiis...From what I can see they are still around and operating as they always have been

Posted by zig on July 18, 2014 16:45

Editor Comment:

No action has been taken against the jet-skis.

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They still have ivory tusks displayed in the office-shame...even if they are listed as older (or from domestic elephant) don't think it's a good pr move with recent poisoning of elephant for the tusks.

Posted by Anonymous on July 18, 2014 19:45

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But nothing has been done to these jet ski crooks yet they are still operating freely they have not been dismantled like all the other dross that infected the islands beautiful beaches, why is that when they along with theTaxi mafia were the worst offenders when it comes to incidents evolving tourists being robbed beaten and cheated for years so why is it the island powers that be consistently let them off WHY.
The damage they have done to the image and future tourist business for Thailand must mean they have to be banned for good from the all new image that Thailand and Phuket are trying to portray in a attempt to bring back the higher end big spending tourists from the west and the USA

Posted by Scunner on July 18, 2014 22:51

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Mr. General please please please BAN jet skis from Phuket waters. They have made enough money and created enough grief already. They cannot and will not accept the "rule of law" because they are so entrenched in corruption....that is how they make their money, by ripping people off. Who cares if they " are Phuket people" or if "they need their jobs" ?? This is Thailand and the rules apply to every Thai and foreigner. Jet Skis are illegal and should only be ridden by someone with a Marine license. NO MORE 2nd, 3rd, 4th chances. NO more harassment and intimidation, No more flaunting of the rules. Give the beaches and the waters back to the people.....not just the select few who continue to rip people off. Their time is up.
PW u say that the Army reads these articles?? Can we submit our opinions directly to the Army and people in charge? Is there a way to contact them other than by the tel.number given out here? I have called that previously and no one picked up??
Thanks
Tom

Posted by Tom on July 19, 2014 05:47

Editor Comment:

The Army certainly reads Phuketwan and other media, Tom. That's how checks are made on whether your media preferences need censoring.
Please go to the Damrungtam office at the Phuket Provincial Hall if you wish to make a complaint.

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@ Anonymous, perhaps the tusks are plastic ( ou plastique si vous et francais )?
BTW: Those masks you Anonymous guys wear to remain anonymous are sort of cool looking. What color(s) is yours?

Posted by farang888 on July 19, 2014 08:13

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farang888, whether "anonymous" or "farang888" what is the difference, I'm assuming "farang888" isn't your real name.

Posted by Laurie Howells on July 19, 2014 10:52

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I got married in Phuket on August 8, 2008 at 8 am precisely (the exact same time the Beijing Olympics started). I agree with you Laurie, my moniker is no upgrade on Anonymous! Going forward the moniker will be Farang 88889,to be precise. Blame the four eights on my Thai- Chinese family, and the nine on me. It was great to have a wedding finished by one in the afternoon though..everyone else had an extended nap and I drank nine Leo beers, which rendered me quite useless to officially consummate the marriage until the ninth. Too much information to be sure, but not quite in the category of our dear Sue. Sincerely, Farang 88889

Posted by Dean on July 19, 2014 22:42


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