PHUKET: When Thailand's Cabinet gathers on Phuket later this month, potential changes to strata ownership provisions for expats will be discussed, a meeting was told on Phuket today.
The presence of Phuket's Governor tri Augkaradacha and Phang Nga's Governor Thamrong Jalernkul - plus many senior officials - today indicated the importance of the meeting with a senior representative for the Interior Minister and Deputy PM, Yongyut Wichaidit.
Consultant Woodtipong Chaisang said that foreign ownership of property, garbage disposal, the safety of tourists, bad water, the environment and encroachment would all be among topics for discussion when Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Cabinet meet on March 19-20 on Phuket.
''People have to be prepared for the Asean economic community in 2015 yet Thailand ranks eight out of 10 in terms of awareness of what it means,'' he said.
Phuket was the province that provided most income for Thailand so it was important to make sure that tourism ran smoothly, he said.
''Laws and enforcement need attention, so does public health and education,'' he acknowledged. ''Opportunities have been missed on Phuket.''
The Pheu Thai party intended to provide stability for Phuket and the entire Andaman region, and ''Phuket and the Andaman region'' would be what Cabinet's talks were all about.
He said that Phuket International Airport needed to continue to cope with the surge in tourism to the region and noted that the board of Airports of Thailand would be meeting on Phuket with the Transport Minister to discuss the airport on March 9.
Proposals for a strategy to handle the growth of tourist numbers include rail links between Phuket airport and Krabi airport and along the Andaman coast to Ranong airport, near the border with Burma.
Today's meeting took place at Provincial Hall in Phuket City.
The Permanent Secretary of the Tourism and Sport Ministry was briefed on Phuket-specific issues by nine ambassadors in Bangkok last week.
Much of what they said is likely to have concerned tourism safety and public transport.
The presence of Phuket's Governor tri Augkaradacha and Phang Nga's Governor Thamrong Jalernkul - plus many senior officials - today indicated the importance of the meeting with a senior representative for the Interior Minister and Deputy PM, Yongyut Wichaidit.
Consultant Woodtipong Chaisang said that foreign ownership of property, garbage disposal, the safety of tourists, bad water, the environment and encroachment would all be among topics for discussion when Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Cabinet meet on March 19-20 on Phuket.
''People have to be prepared for the Asean economic community in 2015 yet Thailand ranks eight out of 10 in terms of awareness of what it means,'' he said.
Phuket was the province that provided most income for Thailand so it was important to make sure that tourism ran smoothly, he said.
''Laws and enforcement need attention, so does public health and education,'' he acknowledged. ''Opportunities have been missed on Phuket.''
The Pheu Thai party intended to provide stability for Phuket and the entire Andaman region, and ''Phuket and the Andaman region'' would be what Cabinet's talks were all about.
He said that Phuket International Airport needed to continue to cope with the surge in tourism to the region and noted that the board of Airports of Thailand would be meeting on Phuket with the Transport Minister to discuss the airport on March 9.
Proposals for a strategy to handle the growth of tourist numbers include rail links between Phuket airport and Krabi airport and along the Andaman coast to Ranong airport, near the border with Burma.
Today's meeting took place at Provincial Hall in Phuket City.
The Permanent Secretary of the Tourism and Sport Ministry was briefed on Phuket-specific issues by nine ambassadors in Bangkok last week.
Much of what they said is likely to have concerned tourism safety and public transport.
Do I see real intent with the growing number of articles declaring serious authority interest in addressing some of the ills of Phuket? It is to be hoped this translates into real action, sooner rather than later.
Posted by Logic on March 5, 2012 22:11