PATONG'S outspoken Chief of Police, Colonel Grissak Songmoonnark, is heading to a new posting after 30 months in the hottest police job on Phuket.

Colonel Grissak was on the road north today to look at Kuraburi in Phang Nga, a much quieter coastal destination, when he confirmed to Phuketwan that he will be transferring there from February 18.

The jet-ski controversy, early closing of bars and nightclubs, excess tuk-tuk traffic, the dramatic gangland shootout at Jintana Plaza, the professional asassination of a Canadian real estate businessman outside his home, the Aussie beer mat bandit and Patong's one-way traffic system . . .

All incidents marking the Grissak years in the part of Phuket that seems least likely to mellow and mature.

Just a few weeks ago, Colonel Grissak said that Phuket had too many tuk-tuks. Patong alone had about 500 of them, not including unregistered vehicles.

''Two hundred tuk-tuks would be enough for the whole island,'' he said.

Today he told Phuketwan ''Phuket's problems have not changed. While the number of tourists has increased, standards of service have not grown more sophisticated.

''The turnover of key people, like the governor and senior police, happens too frequently to really implement change. Continuity can never be a part of that system.

''So the problems of Phuket go unresolved.''

His recommendation? That there should be a committee of local businesspeople who set the strategy and aims for the island, so that governors, senior police and other officials have guidelines to follow.

Policies also needed to be consistent at all beaches on the island when it comes to such things as jet-skis, numbers of beach loungers, vendors and such. The same should apply to all entertainment venues across the island.

''Phuket should have a good system based on good service and good security. There is no need for rivalries or for rip-offs.''

He said that Patong was an international destination but many people in the industry failed to understand the importance of treating tourists well.

Colonel Grissak said he had had good cooperation from locals whenever it was required. A replacement as head of Kathu Police Station has yet to be announced.

More than 400 positions in the police force in Region 8, which covers Phuket, Phang Nga, Ranong, Chumporn and Suratthani, are to change as part of the twice-yearly ''monsoon'' that sweeps through all levels of administration in Thailand.