PHUKET: The case of a French couple who were arrested and mistreated by Immigration officers at Phuket airport earlier this year has been raised by the international news agency, AFP.
As well as quoting tourist Elodie Triche as saying ''such treatment is unacceptable,'' the article highlights the lack of fairness and proper law enforcement on Phuket.
''From jet-ski scams to robbery, assault and even police extortion, for the millions of tourists who flock to Thailand each year the kingdom does not always live up to its reputation as the 'Land of Smiles,' the article says, focusing particularly on Phuket.
Although it's noted that most people enjoy their Phuket holidays, a substantial number of people are - as the article says - ripped off, scammed or extorted.
Australian police volunteer Wal Brown, who patrols the west coast nightlife tourist hub of Patong several times a week, tells AFP: "There are a lot of people who get drugged here.
''A couple of years ago we had two Italians walk out of the bush. They couldn't remember anything for three days.
''All their money and clothes were stolen. They only had their jocks (underwear) on,'' he added.
Phuket police say they recognise the problem but insist they are doing the best they can with their stretched resources. Many cases lapse without the perpetrators being found.
David Lipman, European Ambassador to Thailand and host of a meeting between all European Union countries and Phuket's Governor in June, says jet-skis and motorcycle renters add to Phuket's poor reputation.
''People rent out motorbikes. In the middle of the night they're stolen by the people who rented them out in the first place and the next day they say 'let's have our motorbike.'''
Tourists often receive second-rate treatment and police sometimes fail to act when tourists are the victims.
''We expect proper standards of behavior from public officials,'' Mr Lipman told AFP. ''Let's face it, there is a bit of corruption going on and we hope that will be avoided.''
AFP has a large number of contracts with publishers around the world so the article noting Phuket's lack of proper standards will be read by millions.
At the request of Thailand's Government, a team from the Department of Special Investigations - Thailand's equivalent of the FBI - is due on Phuket next week to begin an examination of why Phuket fails to meet international standards of treatment and law enforcement.
As well as quoting tourist Elodie Triche as saying ''such treatment is unacceptable,'' the article highlights the lack of fairness and proper law enforcement on Phuket.
''From jet-ski scams to robbery, assault and even police extortion, for the millions of tourists who flock to Thailand each year the kingdom does not always live up to its reputation as the 'Land of Smiles,' the article says, focusing particularly on Phuket.
Although it's noted that most people enjoy their Phuket holidays, a substantial number of people are - as the article says - ripped off, scammed or extorted.
Australian police volunteer Wal Brown, who patrols the west coast nightlife tourist hub of Patong several times a week, tells AFP: "There are a lot of people who get drugged here.
''A couple of years ago we had two Italians walk out of the bush. They couldn't remember anything for three days.
''All their money and clothes were stolen. They only had their jocks (underwear) on,'' he added.
Phuket police say they recognise the problem but insist they are doing the best they can with their stretched resources. Many cases lapse without the perpetrators being found.
David Lipman, European Ambassador to Thailand and host of a meeting between all European Union countries and Phuket's Governor in June, says jet-skis and motorcycle renters add to Phuket's poor reputation.
''People rent out motorbikes. In the middle of the night they're stolen by the people who rented them out in the first place and the next day they say 'let's have our motorbike.'''
Tourists often receive second-rate treatment and police sometimes fail to act when tourists are the victims.
''We expect proper standards of behavior from public officials,'' Mr Lipman told AFP. ''Let's face it, there is a bit of corruption going on and we hope that will be avoided.''
AFP has a large number of contracts with publishers around the world so the article noting Phuket's lack of proper standards will be read by millions.
At the request of Thailand's Government, a team from the Department of Special Investigations - Thailand's equivalent of the FBI - is due on Phuket next week to begin an examination of why Phuket fails to meet international standards of treatment and law enforcement.
Lets hope AFP will send some real investigative journalists to actually ask testing questions of the officials who run this island and those people who see it and have used it as their private fiefdoms.I will be checking their web site from now on fingers crossed.
Posted by scunner on July 20, 2013 02:31