PHUKET Governor Dr Preecha Ruangjan is taking charge of the future of jetskis on the island and has denied reports that he is heading for another province.

''I just came here a little while ago,'' he told Phuketwan. ''Why would I want to move? Phuket is never boring.''

The governor has asked Marine Department 5, which oversees licensing, for an urgent and comprehensive update on jetskis on the island.

The jetski issue is one that many visitors to the governor's office are seeking to have resolved. It had previously been delegated to a vice governor.

Jetskis were to be phased out over seven years from 2004 but existing owners were allowed by Dr Preecha's predecessor as governor to replace their machines.

Scams involving jetskis and the fact they are mostly uninsured are a cause for concern. The neighboring provinces of Phang Nga and Krabi do not have jetskis.

The presence of hundreds of them on Phuket's most appealing beaches is an indication that the island has no clear idea whether its future lies as a fun park or a natural paradise.

Talk persists that there is a job waiting for Dr Preecha in Nakornsawan, a province neighboring his home province of Pijid.

Dr Preecha's two children, a girl and a boy, are both at high school in Nakornsawan.

Dr Preecha, who says his family is the most important part of his life, was hoping to stay closer to his children during their important teenage years.

The appointment of governors as local provincial administrators is non-political, but can be subject to influence.

Dr Preecha's appointment to Phuket from his post as governor of Pijid came before the Democrat Party formed a national government in December.

One of the three Deputy Prime Ministers under the Democrats is Sanan Kajormprasart.

Khun Sanan is from Prijid province, and was keen to catch up and spend time with Dr Preecha on a visit to Phuket late last year.

It is understood that Khun Sanan, who also is well-connected in Nakornsawan, would like to see Dr Preecha apply his talents there.

Dr Preecha, appointed governor of Phuket on October 20, caused a flurry of alarm with his early comments about property development.

The governor was understandably annoyed to be ordered from a beach, because he was told it was ''private.''

By law, all beaches in Thailand are public. But on Phuket, some resorts and developers encourage the opposite view.

Dr Preecha has also made known his views about the continuing development of Phuket.

He says there is not enough balance with nature and that local people should take more interest and have more say in what happens to their island.

But he adds that it is beyond his power to do more than offer advice.

While he has said that he loves Phuket, he has also made it plain on more than one occasion that his family always comes first.



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Racha Summit Brings Artificial Reef, Ban on Jetskis
A meeting on Racha saves the island's coral, delivering an eight million baht artificial reef, a zoning system to keep divers and fishing trawlers apart, bans aimed at protecting the natural environment, and hope for other endangered reefs and islands..
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Phuket Governor Urges Brake on Development
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Latest With 2009 looming as a difficult time for tourism, the Governor of Phuket has put a plan in place to deal with big issues and complaints speedily. Feedback is expected soon.
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Phuket Governor Urges Rejection of 'Greed'
The outspoken Governor of Phuket has made his philosophy for 2009 plain in a New Year message that urges individuals to reject greed and adopt generosity and fairness instead.
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Phuket Governor Ordered Off 'Private' Beach
Phuket's new governor was ordered off a '' private'' beach soon after arriving on the island, which may explain his unhelpful attitude when he met the Jumeirah project investment team.
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