PHUKET: Compromise will no longer be applied as Phuket begins the Era of Enforcement, Vice Governor Jamleran Tipayapongtadav told a meeting yesterday.
His words were reinforced by the Army's Major General Somchai Ponatong, now based on Phuket, who said even the governor will have to do his job or be replaced by someone who can do it.
With about 40 soldiers and police conducting a task force sweep through taxi and tuk-tuk drivers in Patong the previous night, the gathering at the Phuket Land Transport office in Phuket City was the clearest indication yet that the Army also aims to do its job.
Vice Governor Jamleran, who in the past has frequently tried to trigger action by local councils, said: ''On Phuket, we have compromised a lot. Not any more.
''From now on, we must all follow the law and make sure others follow the law.''
Earlier in the week, Phuket's police and task force commander, Major General Praveen Pongsirin, urged everyone on Phuket to maintain the beach clearances and the push against outlaw taxi and tuk-tuk drivers by reporting wrong-doers at every opportunity.
His message was in sync with the comments of Major General Somchai yesterday. He told the district chiefs, mayors and police superintendents at the meeting: ''Phuket is a beautiful island and many people want to come here. Our task is to make sure the island functions the way that it should.
''Many governors and ministers have failed to resolve Phuket's issues. But together, we can do it if the will is there.''
He said the Army intervened on Phuket on May 25 - just three days after the coup in Bangkok put the military in charge of Thailand - to evaluate the island's administration and bureaucracy.
More and more, it appears that Phuket is being used as a role model for the entire country, much along the lines suggested repeatedly by Phuketwan to curb corruption and maximise Phuket's future as a tropical island tourist destination with sustainable natural attributes.
""If you are not working, we will seek a new person for your job,'' Major General Somchai said. ''If the governor doesn't do his job, we will be looking for a new governor.
''If the mayor doesn't do his or her job, we will be looking for a new mayor. If the police commander doesn't do his job, he will be moved and replaced. We are looking for people who have the ability to be effective.''
Among the attributes that administrators needed were the following, Major General Somchai said:
.. Don't be two-faced
.. Apply the same standards
.. Everybody must do their job
.. Use law enforcement. Do not encourage people to take the law into their own hands.
Many people on Phuket believe that life will soon return ''to normal,'' that the beach sunbeds will return, that the taxi drivers will be back in power, and that corruption will flourish again.
But it now appears as though the Army is not going anywhere in a hurry.
His words were reinforced by the Army's Major General Somchai Ponatong, now based on Phuket, who said even the governor will have to do his job or be replaced by someone who can do it.
With about 40 soldiers and police conducting a task force sweep through taxi and tuk-tuk drivers in Patong the previous night, the gathering at the Phuket Land Transport office in Phuket City was the clearest indication yet that the Army also aims to do its job.
Vice Governor Jamleran, who in the past has frequently tried to trigger action by local councils, said: ''On Phuket, we have compromised a lot. Not any more.
''From now on, we must all follow the law and make sure others follow the law.''
Earlier in the week, Phuket's police and task force commander, Major General Praveen Pongsirin, urged everyone on Phuket to maintain the beach clearances and the push against outlaw taxi and tuk-tuk drivers by reporting wrong-doers at every opportunity.
His message was in sync with the comments of Major General Somchai yesterday. He told the district chiefs, mayors and police superintendents at the meeting: ''Phuket is a beautiful island and many people want to come here. Our task is to make sure the island functions the way that it should.
''Many governors and ministers have failed to resolve Phuket's issues. But together, we can do it if the will is there.''
He said the Army intervened on Phuket on May 25 - just three days after the coup in Bangkok put the military in charge of Thailand - to evaluate the island's administration and bureaucracy.
More and more, it appears that Phuket is being used as a role model for the entire country, much along the lines suggested repeatedly by Phuketwan to curb corruption and maximise Phuket's future as a tropical island tourist destination with sustainable natural attributes.
""If you are not working, we will seek a new person for your job,'' Major General Somchai said. ''If the governor doesn't do his job, we will be looking for a new governor.
''If the mayor doesn't do his or her job, we will be looking for a new mayor. If the police commander doesn't do his job, he will be moved and replaced. We are looking for people who have the ability to be effective.''
Among the attributes that administrators needed were the following, Major General Somchai said:
.. Don't be two-faced
.. Apply the same standards
.. Everybody must do their job
.. Use law enforcement. Do not encourage people to take the law into their own hands.
Many people on Phuket believe that life will soon return ''to normal,'' that the beach sunbeds will return, that the taxi drivers will be back in power, and that corruption will flourish again.
But it now appears as though the Army is not going anywhere in a hurry.
Yes, well said!
Many people worry a lot on what will happen if the Army hands back the power to the police as 'normal and simple' people do not trust the police for well known reasons.
That said, many people do not trust the Army either, but they trust General Prayuth.
Hope he will stay a long time in power, clean the mess all over Thailand and set up new systems, laws and reform/change the educational system, police and court system for a sustainable future of Thailand.
Thank you General Prayuth!
Posted by Mr. K on July 17, 2014 08:01