PHUKET: Flower garland sellers at Phuket's street corners should go, new Phuket Vice Governor Dr Sommai Preechasin said this week when all of Phuket's municipalities met.
The regular monthly meeting heard Dr Sommai express the view that the deodorant garland-sellers created a bad image of Phuket for tourists, causing distractions that could lead to drivers taking their attention off the roads.
''The image is not good and it's certainly possible that crashes could be caused,'' she said.
Reaction was mixed. Vichit Council said they'd already begun moving to clear the roads of garland-sellers but other councils say it's not a particular problem.
The sellers are usually very old or very young, people who may find it difficult to make money in other ways.
In some Western countries, people down on their luck have traditionally cleaned windscreens. In Asian countries where poverty and gridlock are rife, hordes of vendors descend on motorists who stop at intersections to sell food, newspapers, cigarettes and other goods.
Complaints in the past have been about the chemicals that are sometimes used to keep the flowers fresh for as long as possible.
The street sellers seem to some to be a last link with Phuket's poorer past.
The regular monthly meeting heard Dr Sommai express the view that the deodorant garland-sellers created a bad image of Phuket for tourists, causing distractions that could lead to drivers taking their attention off the roads.
''The image is not good and it's certainly possible that crashes could be caused,'' she said.
Reaction was mixed. Vichit Council said they'd already begun moving to clear the roads of garland-sellers but other councils say it's not a particular problem.
The sellers are usually very old or very young, people who may find it difficult to make money in other ways.
In some Western countries, people down on their luck have traditionally cleaned windscreens. In Asian countries where poverty and gridlock are rife, hordes of vendors descend on motorists who stop at intersections to sell food, newspapers, cigarettes and other goods.
Complaints in the past have been about the chemicals that are sometimes used to keep the flowers fresh for as long as possible.
The street sellers seem to some to be a last link with Phuket's poorer past.
Of all the possible traffic related problems Phuket suffers from, the new Vice Governor decides to tackle this totally irrelevant issue for the sake of improving image.
When we have authorities in the highest places on Phuket with priorities like this, is it any wonder nothing seems to get resolved.
How about having a public hearing where local residents, both Thai and foreign, can table their concerns for you to consider, Dr Sommai?
Now that might highlight some REAL problems you could tackle and leave the poor flower sellers alone.
Posted by Steve C. on January 12, 2012 19:27