PHUKET: Jet-ski operators continued to be a problem on Phuket and police should check the past of people on the beach, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister, Pracha Promnok, told a Phuket meeting today.
''Tell everyone about the jet-ski operators,'' he said. ''Knowing who they are is very important.''
Earlier, the Commander of Phuket Police, Major General Chote Chawanwiwat, told the gathering that officers were working with Marine 5 officials to ''create more trust'' among tourists using jet-skis.
Both men were speaking at the Metropole Hotel in Phuket City to top police and Immigration officers from Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi and Surat Thani, where Samui and Phangan islands are found.
Thailand's Government is intent on creating a ''Phuket model'' for safer tourism that can be applied in all destinations.
Commander Chote made the point that the focus was now on protecting tourists on Phuket with attempts being made to ''manage'' tourism with greater care, and for more officers to learn English.
At the same time, checks were being tightened on expats and Burmese who came to work on Phuket, he said.
Thailand's Government recognised the importance of the tourism industry and wanted to develop and improve everything about it, Deputy PM Pracha said.
Emphasis was being placed on ''making the country safe, and the people hospitable.'' ''Nobody wants to visit dangerous places,'' he said.
More emphasis should be placed on controlling drugs, and on the welfare of teenagers and the unemployed, he said.
''Phuket is a very pleasant city, a very nice island,'' he told the officers. ''Every officer in the country wants to come here, so keep working well.''
Governor Maitree Intrusud also briefed the officers on progress being made to make Phuket a safer and more appealing destination.
''Tell everyone about the jet-ski operators,'' he said. ''Knowing who they are is very important.''
Earlier, the Commander of Phuket Police, Major General Chote Chawanwiwat, told the gathering that officers were working with Marine 5 officials to ''create more trust'' among tourists using jet-skis.
Both men were speaking at the Metropole Hotel in Phuket City to top police and Immigration officers from Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi and Surat Thani, where Samui and Phangan islands are found.
Thailand's Government is intent on creating a ''Phuket model'' for safer tourism that can be applied in all destinations.
Commander Chote made the point that the focus was now on protecting tourists on Phuket with attempts being made to ''manage'' tourism with greater care, and for more officers to learn English.
At the same time, checks were being tightened on expats and Burmese who came to work on Phuket, he said.
Thailand's Government recognised the importance of the tourism industry and wanted to develop and improve everything about it, Deputy PM Pracha said.
Emphasis was being placed on ''making the country safe, and the people hospitable.'' ''Nobody wants to visit dangerous places,'' he said.
More emphasis should be placed on controlling drugs, and on the welfare of teenagers and the unemployed, he said.
''Phuket is a very pleasant city, a very nice island,'' he told the officers. ''Every officer in the country wants to come here, so keep working well.''
Governor Maitree Intrusud also briefed the officers on progress being made to make Phuket a safer and more appealing destination.
I notice that the deputy prime minister seeks a safer Phuket. I ask, does the Prime Minister also seek a safer Phuket
Posted by Paul on August 25, 2013 00:24