NEW British Ambassador to Thailand Asif Ahmad is visiting Phuket with Consul Michael Hancock. They will meet Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha and other island leaders today.

Tourist safety and security are likely to be top of the agenda.

''I can't say that every jet-ski operator on Phuket is crooked,'' Mr Ahman told a gathering of English-language media representatives yesterday evening. ''In some instances there are genuine instances of damage to jet-skis.

''In others there are gangs who are extorting money from tourists.'' Not only that, the ambassador said, there was a new ''green'' approach to tourism more generally that probably worked against jet-skis.

On tuk-tuks, the ambassador's advice was to negotiate a fare before stepping into the vehicle.

The British envoys are likely to suggest ways that officials on Phuket can more speedily deal with the need for a rape crisis centre by utilising the skills of experienced expat volunteers.

The ambassador has visited Phuket once before, in a private capacity six months before the December 2004 tsunami.

Foremost in the minds of Mr Ahmad and Mr Hancock is the development of a registration system for British visitors and residents that would enable the issuing of more efficient and effective alerts when necessary.

The switch is to social media and SMS messages. An estimated 5000 to 6000 British citizens live on Phuket.