PHUKET: Phuket's attempt to confront corruption continued this week as the island-province officially became the ''guinea pig'' for moves to make all of Thailand safer and fairer for tourists.
Phuket should become a case study for what needs to change and how change can be achieved, a meeting of senior administration representatives from Phuket, Bangkok, Pattaya Samui and Chiang Mai heard in the capital.
Heading the meeting was the Deputy Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Interior, Prania Suwanrath, who was given the task of driving reforms by now-caretaker Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.
Vice Governor Niwit Aroonrat, who is representing Phuket at the rolling series of meetings, told Phuketwan that Phuket authorities should press ahead in the areas that need reform.
''If support is needed from Bangkok, it will come,'' said Khun Prania.
Transport is at the head of the list of Phuket's problems. Vice Governor Niwit said that there were issues at the airport, at the deep sea port, at Kata-Karon and in Patong.
The airport alone was complicated enough with meter taxis, limousines, government buses, ''black'' illegal taxis and hotel vans all part of the mix.
The five general areas that are being looked at are: Rip-offs and transport, including tuk-tuks and jet-skis; Tailors and touts and the use of high-pressure street sales techniques; Traffic and the lack of a strategy for Phuket's growth; Garbage disposal; Local and international tourist guides.
Khun Prania has promised his full support and says the lessons learned from the ''Phuket role model'' should be applied to the other tourism destinations represented at this week's meeting.
Results are also anticipated from a recent two-week investigation by a special committee connected to the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission.
Officers interviewed leading figures on Phuket, including expats, and were given details of alleged corruption on Phuket.
Phuket should become a case study for what needs to change and how change can be achieved, a meeting of senior administration representatives from Phuket, Bangkok, Pattaya Samui and Chiang Mai heard in the capital.
Heading the meeting was the Deputy Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Interior, Prania Suwanrath, who was given the task of driving reforms by now-caretaker Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.
Vice Governor Niwit Aroonrat, who is representing Phuket at the rolling series of meetings, told Phuketwan that Phuket authorities should press ahead in the areas that need reform.
''If support is needed from Bangkok, it will come,'' said Khun Prania.
Transport is at the head of the list of Phuket's problems. Vice Governor Niwit said that there were issues at the airport, at the deep sea port, at Kata-Karon and in Patong.
The airport alone was complicated enough with meter taxis, limousines, government buses, ''black'' illegal taxis and hotel vans all part of the mix.
The five general areas that are being looked at are: Rip-offs and transport, including tuk-tuks and jet-skis; Tailors and touts and the use of high-pressure street sales techniques; Traffic and the lack of a strategy for Phuket's growth; Garbage disposal; Local and international tourist guides.
Khun Prania has promised his full support and says the lessons learned from the ''Phuket role model'' should be applied to the other tourism destinations represented at this week's meeting.
Results are also anticipated from a recent two-week investigation by a special committee connected to the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission.
Officers interviewed leading figures on Phuket, including expats, and were given details of alleged corruption on Phuket.
''If support is needed from Bangkok, it will come,'' said Khun Prania."
Yes right, when hell ices over.
Bangkok has not helped Phuket in the past, so why would they do so now?
Sort out the tuk tuks, taxis, double pricing, jet-skis, etc, then we will believe you.
Talk is cheap.
Posted by Robin on June 18, 2011 01:51