Phuketwan on a Diplomatic Bombshell
A DIPLOMATIC hand-grenade exploded outside the new Phuket Govenor's office this afternoon. It was not a good first day at work.
At 2.30pm, the German Ambassador decided he could wait no longer. He stood up then walked out.
Offered the choice of meeting with a vice governor or to wait another 20 minutes for Governor Wichai Praisa-Ngob, Dr Hanns H. Schumacher, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, decided he had waited long enough.
The appointment with the governor had been for 2pm.
The ambassador gave a brief interview to waiting media, then he and the Honorary Consul, Dirk Naumann, left Provincial Hall.
Dr Schumacher dropped the diplomatic hand grenade before he left by saying:
''I as well as other European ambassadors are about to investigate the situation that too frequently, our embassies are not informed when our nationals are either detained or die in an area of jurisdiction of any police district in Thailand.
''Thailand has signed the international convention on consular affairs and it has the legal commitment to inform the embassies as soon as possible.
''I understand that this is not so much a question of goodwill. The authorities in Bangkok are quite cooperative.
''But it has to go down, trickle down, to the local police authorities. This was an issue I would have loved to discuss with the governor.''
He later told Phuketwan that the problems were not particular to Phuket, and that Pattaya posed more problems in this regard.
But he did add that on the island, Patong police especially failed to inform embassies about arrests and deaths.
Last week's sinking of the MV Dive Asia 1, with seven dead and many Germans on board as well as others connected with the dive company, was not on the ambassador's list of topics for discussion.
When the issue was raised by Phuketwan, he said responsibility lay with the tourists themselves. Tourists should be wary and avoid vessels that seemed unseaworthy.
He added in conversation with the media: ''I think we all want, Thailand as well as Germany, to return to a situation when tourism was one of the most thriving business here.
''This is a beautiful country. It has many assets and I think it is very beloved, in particular by German citizens. We want to prepare the environment so it continues to be a favourite destination.''
The ambassador also wanted to talk about a case in the juvenile detention centre here.
This case probably involves a 17-year-old German who, according to police, has confessed to charges of sexually molesting young boys.
The underage suspect was paraded for the media recently with accused British pornographer and pedophile Dax J Young.
The arrests of the two suspects followed an investigation by the Department of Special Investigations (DSI) and Patong police.
The ambassador said he wanted to discuss the case in the juvenile detention centre with the ''commissioner of police, who was very helpful, I must admit.''
Governor Wichai also had a busy schedule for Tuesday, including a visit to the home of leading businessman Phummisak Hongsyok.
He paused long enough to let the media know that he plans to continue the policies of his well-regarded predecessor, Dr Preecha Ruangjan.
Meet the New Governor
New Phuket Governor a 'High Grade Diamond'
Welcome Photos Phuket's new governor brought cheers and tears today as he greeted Phuket officials. Phuket may have to wait to see but people from his previous province say he is a ''diamond.''
New Phuket Governor a 'High Grade Diamond'
If the meeting was 1400 farang time, it would have been prompt at two pm. It it was 1400 Thai time, then sit back and relax and add an hour. Thai time meetings are scheduled an hour later than farang time. Be at ease here, this is a holiday destination, not the Porche factory. Deep breath and r e l a x.
Posted by Graham on March 16, 2009 16:48