PHUKET: A group of ambassadors from Bangkok is to meet with Phuket's governor, police and administrators on Monday, the first meeting on such a scale since mid-2013.
Key issues for tourists and expat residents are likely to be raised.
Travelling to Phuket for talks over two days or more will be the British Ambassador, Mark Kent, the German Ambassador, Peter Prugel, the Netherlands Ambassador, Karel Hartogh, the Irish Ambassador, Brendan Rogers, and the Canadian Ambassador, Philip Calvert.
In mid-2013, envoys from 18 European Union member states visited Phuket for talks with the then Governor, Maitree Intrusud.
After the talks, the European envoys listed what the holiday island needed. Here's Phuketwan's list of the items and progress on them.
.
.. An efficient and fairly priced public transport system in Phuket which is available to foreign tourists and residents alike.
Fares in taxis remain about six times those in Bangkok with the GrabTaxi system holding hope for more meter cabs becoming available on Phuket. A light rail-tram link has been proposed from Phuket International Airport to Chalong Circle in southern Phuket. Authorities have yet to explain how residents will be persuaded to abandoned their efficient motorcycles for the slower, less direct tram. Most arriving tourists are also heading for Phuket's west coast, while the tram trundles towards the east coast. Tourists are unlikely to opt for a slower, more round-about route. Phuketwan's suggestion: add lanes instead to the main thoroughfare, Thepkasattri Road, ban large buses and trucks and make Phuket an island with an extensive public transport network of swift, efficient minivans.
.. An end to intimidatory and violent behavior by an element of tuk-tuk and taxi drivers.
Fewer reports surface these days about taxi or tuk-tuk driver intimidation. Efforts to educate drivers appear to be succeeding. Some focus needs to be on the ''kidnapping'' of arriving tourists to tour offices where they are offered accommodation and trips they don't need. Security cameras have helped.
.. Strict enforcement of marine safety standards, including flags on beaches to indicate when it is safe to swim.
Beach safety is improving but crews on some speedboats still allow tourists from non-swimming countries to take too many risks, unwarned and unguarded. Resorts and guesthouses should warn arriving guests of local beach rips that become dangerous and deadly during the monsoon season.
.. Strict enforcement of standards of behavior for public officials, including police and Immigration, to ensure that foreign visitors and residents feel protected, treated in a fair way and never at risk of extortion.
Corrupt practices are still obvious on Phuket. With the threat of terrorism so evident worldwide, it is no longer acceptable for police or Immigration officials to take bribes from people who do not have proper work permits or visas and who dodge detection by making payoffs to men in uniform.
.. An end to scams involving hiring of equipment such as jet skis or motorbikes.
Scams are not reported as frequently but motorcycle hirers still hold passports as collateral and the jet-ski operators on Patong beach now send out touts to hassle for business and have virtually taken over what was once the island's premium swimming beach. Parasailers towed by speedboats take off and land on the sand in dangerous proximity to strollers and swimmers.
.. Strict enforcement of road safety regulations.
Better roads have allowed greater speeds and Phuket drivers generally are not well-educated about the dangers. Drink-driving has always been a problem, especially among tourists and expats, with bars seldom refusing customers service. A worthwhile campaign to make all motorcycle users - especially schoolchildren - wear helmets should be renewed and continued without interruption.
.. Promotion of environmental issues, including monitoring of water quality.
Promises that seawater quality close to Phuket's beaches would be assessed regularly and the findings revealed have not been kept. The evidence of underwater cameras points to deteriorating reefs off Phuket because of bad water releases - both voluntary and involuntary - and construction site debris. People who abuse the island's environment must be punished.
Phuketwan maintains that with the Asean Economic Community due next year, the national government should attempt to make Phuket a corruption-free province and then transport the ''Phuket model'' to all other provinces.
There are some big ticks for progress on Phuket since 2013 but much more needs to be done, and quickly. One estimate is that tourist numbers from Europe are down by 25 percent.
Key issues for tourists and expat residents are likely to be raised.
Travelling to Phuket for talks over two days or more will be the British Ambassador, Mark Kent, the German Ambassador, Peter Prugel, the Netherlands Ambassador, Karel Hartogh, the Irish Ambassador, Brendan Rogers, and the Canadian Ambassador, Philip Calvert.
In mid-2013, envoys from 18 European Union member states visited Phuket for talks with the then Governor, Maitree Intrusud.
After the talks, the European envoys listed what the holiday island needed. Here's Phuketwan's list of the items and progress on them.
.
European Union Ambassadors' List of Seven Phuket Needs
.. An efficient and fairly priced public transport system in Phuket which is available to foreign tourists and residents alike.
Fares in taxis remain about six times those in Bangkok with the GrabTaxi system holding hope for more meter cabs becoming available on Phuket. A light rail-tram link has been proposed from Phuket International Airport to Chalong Circle in southern Phuket. Authorities have yet to explain how residents will be persuaded to abandoned their efficient motorcycles for the slower, less direct tram. Most arriving tourists are also heading for Phuket's west coast, while the tram trundles towards the east coast. Tourists are unlikely to opt for a slower, more round-about route. Phuketwan's suggestion: add lanes instead to the main thoroughfare, Thepkasattri Road, ban large buses and trucks and make Phuket an island with an extensive public transport network of swift, efficient minivans.
.. An end to intimidatory and violent behavior by an element of tuk-tuk and taxi drivers.
Fewer reports surface these days about taxi or tuk-tuk driver intimidation. Efforts to educate drivers appear to be succeeding. Some focus needs to be on the ''kidnapping'' of arriving tourists to tour offices where they are offered accommodation and trips they don't need. Security cameras have helped.
.. Strict enforcement of marine safety standards, including flags on beaches to indicate when it is safe to swim.
Beach safety is improving but crews on some speedboats still allow tourists from non-swimming countries to take too many risks, unwarned and unguarded. Resorts and guesthouses should warn arriving guests of local beach rips that become dangerous and deadly during the monsoon season.
.. Strict enforcement of standards of behavior for public officials, including police and Immigration, to ensure that foreign visitors and residents feel protected, treated in a fair way and never at risk of extortion.
Corrupt practices are still obvious on Phuket. With the threat of terrorism so evident worldwide, it is no longer acceptable for police or Immigration officials to take bribes from people who do not have proper work permits or visas and who dodge detection by making payoffs to men in uniform.
.. An end to scams involving hiring of equipment such as jet skis or motorbikes.
Scams are not reported as frequently but motorcycle hirers still hold passports as collateral and the jet-ski operators on Patong beach now send out touts to hassle for business and have virtually taken over what was once the island's premium swimming beach. Parasailers towed by speedboats take off and land on the sand in dangerous proximity to strollers and swimmers.
.. Strict enforcement of road safety regulations.
Better roads have allowed greater speeds and Phuket drivers generally are not well-educated about the dangers. Drink-driving has always been a problem, especially among tourists and expats, with bars seldom refusing customers service. A worthwhile campaign to make all motorcycle users - especially schoolchildren - wear helmets should be renewed and continued without interruption.
.. Promotion of environmental issues, including monitoring of water quality.
Promises that seawater quality close to Phuket's beaches would be assessed regularly and the findings revealed have not been kept. The evidence of underwater cameras points to deteriorating reefs off Phuket because of bad water releases - both voluntary and involuntary - and construction site debris. People who abuse the island's environment must be punished.
Phuketwan maintains that with the Asean Economic Community due next year, the national government should attempt to make Phuket a corruption-free province and then transport the ''Phuket model'' to all other provinces.
There are some big ticks for progress on Phuket since 2013 but much more needs to be done, and quickly. One estimate is that tourist numbers from Europe are down by 25 percent.
If ASEAN brings certain freedoms with it then Thailand will be forced to cooperate. My own feeling is that those in power will attempt to delay this as long as possible. They have so far shown no great enthusiasm for change. I doubt whether they have the will to do as you suggest, Ed. Sorry.
Posted by Anonymous on November 19, 2015 12:28
Editor Comment:
Anonymous contributors have no need to apologise, anonymous. Readers are unable to tell them apart.