PHUKET people must become active in protecting their island and preserving Phuket's long-term future as a tourist destination ''before it's too late,'' says German honorary consul Dirk Naumann.
''I believe Phuket is running out of time,'' Mr Naumann said. ''Unless changes come soon, it will be too late for this beautiful island.''
Mr Naumann, a veteran Phuket envoy, was making an emotional plea for greater Phuket community involvement in advance of the regular meeting between Phuket's honorary consuls and Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha on May 23.
The honorary consuls' gatherings with the governor every three months also include Phuket administrators and senior police and have become a place where some of Phuket's biggest problems are openly discussed. But more needs to be done, Mr Naumann said.
''Too many people on Phuket only seem to care about money,'' Mr Naumann said. ''It really is time for those who can see what is happening on Phuket to speak out, to show that they want Phuket to be a better place, a place that their children and grandchildren can continue to enjoy.''
Mr Naumann says that some Phuket people seem to think that the honorary consuls only meet with the governor because they are self-interested and selfish.
''That's just not true,'' Mr Naumann said. ''We don't gain anything personally from the meetings.
''There are about 20 honorary consuls, and about half of those are Thais, representing European countries.
''We all want to see Phuket improve. The changes that we would like to see would make Phuket a better place - not just for expats, but for all residents, Thai and foreign.
''Phuket is a beautiful island, a holiday paradise. But in many ways right now, it is close to destruction. The honorary consuls are trying to save Phuket from destruction.
''Our aim is to improve Phuket for tourists and for residents at the same time. I think it's important for people to understand that our aim is to make Phuket a better place.
''Anyone who says we are selfish or self-interested probably has some reason of their own for saying that.''
Mr Nauman's special concerns, along with the other honorary consuls, are the fight to save Phuket's beaches and coral reefs, the battle to stop jet-ski scams and other rip-offs, and the need for an efficient and reasonably priced public transport network that covers all of Phuket.
''These problems are so great that Phuket people really need to show how they feel by becoming involved,'' he said. ''We would love to have more Phuket residents contribute to our meetings, or to speak out and become active to help save the island for future generations.''
It was time for Phuket people to ask themselves questions, he added.
..Why does waste water pollute Phuket's most beautiful beaches?
..Why are there jet-ski rip-offs involving tens of thousands of baht almost every day?
..Why do tuk-tuks charge fares so high that most tourists and residents cannot afford to travel in them?
''Everybody says we cannot change Phuket,'' Mr Naumann said. ''Why not?
''In other destinations, people have spoken out and brought change. It's time for Phuket residents who think and care about the island's future to speak out.''
Mr Naumann said he feared that in the near future, Phuket will be ''wiped off the tourist map'' by Vietnam and Burma unless steps are taken to end the pollution, the scams and the destruction of beaches and reefs.
''Many European tourists who once visited Phuket are turning to other destinations,'' he said. ''The tourists replacing them are from countries with no real regard for preserving the beauty of Phuket,'' Mr Naumann said.
''No-one cares. ''No local residents say: 'It's time to stop this.' No Phuket communities get out there to clean their beaches. Nothing happens.''
Mr Naumann said that while some positive steps had been taken in regard to improving tourists' safety and security, the results from the five honorary consuls' meetings held so far had been disappointing.
''There is no sign that the administrators wanted to save Phuket for future generations,'' Mr Naumann said. ''This is alarming to anyone who cares about the future of Phuket.
''All the Thai residents of Phuket should be as alarmed as we are.
''It's time for real Phuket people to become more active and save their beautiful island. Do it please, do it now, before it's too late.''
Countries invited to send representatives to the meeting with Phuket Governors have in the past included: Finland, Estonia, Denmark, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Australia, Ireland, Italy, South Korea, Japan, Britain, Germany, France, Sweden, Norway, Russia, Netherlands, Malaysia, Indonesia, China and Japan.
A translated version of this article is being offered to Thai outlets for publication.
Phuket Changes Push Aided by Aussie Ambassador''I believe Phuket is running out of time,'' Mr Naumann said. ''Unless changes come soon, it will be too late for this beautiful island.''
Mr Naumann, a veteran Phuket envoy, was making an emotional plea for greater Phuket community involvement in advance of the regular meeting between Phuket's honorary consuls and Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha on May 23.
The honorary consuls' gatherings with the governor every three months also include Phuket administrators and senior police and have become a place where some of Phuket's biggest problems are openly discussed. But more needs to be done, Mr Naumann said.
''Too many people on Phuket only seem to care about money,'' Mr Naumann said. ''It really is time for those who can see what is happening on Phuket to speak out, to show that they want Phuket to be a better place, a place that their children and grandchildren can continue to enjoy.''
Mr Naumann says that some Phuket people seem to think that the honorary consuls only meet with the governor because they are self-interested and selfish.
''That's just not true,'' Mr Naumann said. ''We don't gain anything personally from the meetings.
''There are about 20 honorary consuls, and about half of those are Thais, representing European countries.
''We all want to see Phuket improve. The changes that we would like to see would make Phuket a better place - not just for expats, but for all residents, Thai and foreign.
''Phuket is a beautiful island, a holiday paradise. But in many ways right now, it is close to destruction. The honorary consuls are trying to save Phuket from destruction.
''Our aim is to improve Phuket for tourists and for residents at the same time. I think it's important for people to understand that our aim is to make Phuket a better place.
''Anyone who says we are selfish or self-interested probably has some reason of their own for saying that.''
Mr Nauman's special concerns, along with the other honorary consuls, are the fight to save Phuket's beaches and coral reefs, the battle to stop jet-ski scams and other rip-offs, and the need for an efficient and reasonably priced public transport network that covers all of Phuket.
''These problems are so great that Phuket people really need to show how they feel by becoming involved,'' he said. ''We would love to have more Phuket residents contribute to our meetings, or to speak out and become active to help save the island for future generations.''
It was time for Phuket people to ask themselves questions, he added.
..Why does waste water pollute Phuket's most beautiful beaches?
..Why are there jet-ski rip-offs involving tens of thousands of baht almost every day?
..Why do tuk-tuks charge fares so high that most tourists and residents cannot afford to travel in them?
''Everybody says we cannot change Phuket,'' Mr Naumann said. ''Why not?
''In other destinations, people have spoken out and brought change. It's time for Phuket residents who think and care about the island's future to speak out.''
Mr Naumann said he feared that in the near future, Phuket will be ''wiped off the tourist map'' by Vietnam and Burma unless steps are taken to end the pollution, the scams and the destruction of beaches and reefs.
''Many European tourists who once visited Phuket are turning to other destinations,'' he said. ''The tourists replacing them are from countries with no real regard for preserving the beauty of Phuket,'' Mr Naumann said.
''No-one cares. ''No local residents say: 'It's time to stop this.' No Phuket communities get out there to clean their beaches. Nothing happens.''
Mr Naumann said that while some positive steps had been taken in regard to improving tourists' safety and security, the results from the five honorary consuls' meetings held so far had been disappointing.
''There is no sign that the administrators wanted to save Phuket for future generations,'' Mr Naumann said. ''This is alarming to anyone who cares about the future of Phuket.
''All the Thai residents of Phuket should be as alarmed as we are.
''It's time for real Phuket people to become more active and save their beautiful island. Do it please, do it now, before it's too late.''
Countries invited to send representatives to the meeting with Phuket Governors have in the past included: Finland, Estonia, Denmark, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Australia, Ireland, Italy, South Korea, Japan, Britain, Germany, France, Sweden, Norway, Russia, Netherlands, Malaysia, Indonesia, China and Japan.
A translated version of this article is being offered to Thai outlets for publication.
News Analysis Pressure for changes on Phuket is intensifying. Next week's important meeting of honorary consuls will come with a visit from Australia's ambassador.
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Planet Phuket: Tuk-Tuk, Jet-Ski, Airport Report Card
''Too many people on Phuket only seem to care about money,'' Mr Naumann said
think you will find that is a major problem all over Thailand !
Posted by bob on May 17, 2011 17:34