PHUKET: About 400 people joined a meeting on Phuket this afternoon that was debating whether or not Patong should bid for becoming an autonomous zone.
The gathering, in the Phuket Graceland Resort and Spa on Patong's beach road, produced discussion about many ideas, both for and against.
A panel of academics had been assembled to offer their views. Responding to the suggestion of self-management or aurtonomy were Patong businesspeople and residents, as well as people from the tourism industry.
It is understood the meeting was also considering whether Patong should seek autonomy, or whether all of Phuket should be a special economic zone.
The idea has been rejected in the past because Phuket businesspeople fear it would exacerbate Phuket's problems rather than easing them.
The findings of the meeting are expected to be presented to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her Cabinet when it meets on Phuket at Prince of Songkhla University from March 19-20.
The gathering, in the Phuket Graceland Resort and Spa on Patong's beach road, produced discussion about many ideas, both for and against.
A panel of academics had been assembled to offer their views. Responding to the suggestion of self-management or aurtonomy were Patong businesspeople and residents, as well as people from the tourism industry.
It is understood the meeting was also considering whether Patong should seek autonomy, or whether all of Phuket should be a special economic zone.
The idea has been rejected in the past because Phuket businesspeople fear it would exacerbate Phuket's problems rather than easing them.
The findings of the meeting are expected to be presented to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her Cabinet when it meets on Phuket at Prince of Songkhla University from March 19-20.
Imagine a Phuket where the current authorities have free reign and not being accountable to anyone.
The only hope for future Phuket has is that BKK does intervene and stop the vicious cycle of greed and corruption.
If anything the influence of local authorities needs to be dramatically reduced.
Posted by Steve C. on March 7, 2012 19:52