ISSUES SUCH as jet-ski ripoffs, tailor touts, mysterious deaths and corrupt activities are likely to be raised when the Governor of Phuket meets expat honorary consuls regularly.
The decision to hold the gathering every three months was made when the German Ambassador finally caught up with Governor Wichai Praisa-ngob today, almost eight months after their first planned meeting went awry.
Back in March, Dr Hanns H. Schumacher left Provincial Hall because he was not prepared to wait for Governor Wichai who was running very late. It was the governor's first week in the new posting.
Today they met, and Dr Schumacher was able to express his displeasure . . . at Phuket Police Chief Major General Pekad Tantipong, who did not turn up today for a scheduled meeting with the ambassador.
''Why didn't the police chief keep the appointment?'' asked the ambassador, who had come all the way from Bangkok.
''I'm sorry, but all the police are out checking because they need to make sure everybody is safe on Loy Kratong Day,'' the governor told him.
Dr Schumacher accepted the governor's apology and moved on to the main topic, which was the need for diplomats to be notified immediately when expats die or are arrested.
It is believed his concern also related to a case earlier this year in which an underage German was arrested because of his association with a British man accused of molesting Thai children.
The governor said he would make sure that every police case in which a tourist or an expat resident was involved would be reported to his office as well as to diplomatic missions.
Dr Schumacher also wanted the governor to call a meeting of key diplomats every three months to discuss the problems that expat residents and tourists encounter, and possible solutions.
The governor accepted the idea and said he would invite all the key honorary consuls on the island to a three-monthly meeting.
Pattaya is about to get its own German honorary consul, the ambassador said. Phuket and Chiang Mai already have hon cons.
''This year marks the 150th anniversary of the relationship between Germany and Thailand,'' he said. ''We really need to extend cooperation, and know what is happening.
''German tourists will keep coming back. Investors will, too.''
Germans, with Swedes, British and Australians, number among the largest contingents of overseas tourists to Phuket and Thailand.
The ambassador was accompanied to the meeting with the governor by Phuket honorary consul Dirk Naumann.
Update: Mystery Phuket Deaths Raise QuestionsThe decision to hold the gathering every three months was made when the German Ambassador finally caught up with Governor Wichai Praisa-ngob today, almost eight months after their first planned meeting went awry.
Back in March, Dr Hanns H. Schumacher left Provincial Hall because he was not prepared to wait for Governor Wichai who was running very late. It was the governor's first week in the new posting.
Today they met, and Dr Schumacher was able to express his displeasure . . . at Phuket Police Chief Major General Pekad Tantipong, who did not turn up today for a scheduled meeting with the ambassador.
''Why didn't the police chief keep the appointment?'' asked the ambassador, who had come all the way from Bangkok.
''I'm sorry, but all the police are out checking because they need to make sure everybody is safe on Loy Kratong Day,'' the governor told him.
Dr Schumacher accepted the governor's apology and moved on to the main topic, which was the need for diplomats to be notified immediately when expats die or are arrested.
It is believed his concern also related to a case earlier this year in which an underage German was arrested because of his association with a British man accused of molesting Thai children.
The governor said he would make sure that every police case in which a tourist or an expat resident was involved would be reported to his office as well as to diplomatic missions.
Dr Schumacher also wanted the governor to call a meeting of key diplomats every three months to discuss the problems that expat residents and tourists encounter, and possible solutions.
The governor accepted the idea and said he would invite all the key honorary consuls on the island to a three-monthly meeting.
Pattaya is about to get its own German honorary consul, the ambassador said. Phuket and Chiang Mai already have hon cons.
''This year marks the 150th anniversary of the relationship between Germany and Thailand,'' he said. ''We really need to extend cooperation, and know what is happening.
''German tourists will keep coming back. Investors will, too.''
Germans, with Swedes, British and Australians, number among the largest contingents of overseas tourists to Phuket and Thailand.
The ambassador was accompanied to the meeting with the governor by Phuket honorary consul Dirk Naumann.
Update: Phuket News Two Australian men have died on Phuket in similar circumstances. But we may never know the whole truth, or learn what killed them. Is the diplomatic system failing expats?
Update: Mystery Phuket Deaths Raise Questions
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