PHUKET: Phuket Vice Governor Jamleran Tipayapongtadav is being transferred to another province as Governor Nisit Jansomwong heads a Phuket delegation bound for China from tomorrow, missing a vital discussion on Phuket's future.

The moves mean it's unclear how much impact the Phuket administration will have on Thursday's important meeting that will discus jet-skis, sunbeds and umbrellas and beach vendors.

It was thought that Governor Nisit would be there but after meeting Netherlands Ambassador Joan Boer today the governor will be bound for China soon after, with further measures to reduce ''zero baht tourists'' foremost on his mind.

In the absence of the governor, heading the meeting would fall to Vice Governor Jamleran, who has overseen moves on Phuket to tame taxis and tuk-tuks and keep the beaches as clear as possible of private entrepreneurs making money from public space.

However, with the vice governor due in Nakhon Pathom province in the same role from December 1, that new posting may be foremost in his thoughts.

Tourists are unlikely to be directly represented at Thursday's key meeting because the views of Phuket's honorary consuls have not been sought - even though they are the people best able to convey what thousands of Phuket tourists think about jet-skis and sunbeds.

Key people at the meeting will include Royal Thai Navy 3 Commander Vice Admiral Saiyan Prasongsomret, Patong Mayor Chalermlak Kebsub, who has a plan for zoning jet-skis and returning sunbeds, the other Phuket mayors and the island's three district chiefs.

Observers see flaws in Khun Chalermlak's plans and as recently as Friday, British honorary consul Martin Carpenter spoke for many at a marine tourism conference when he said: ''There is no current evidence that anybody in the government sector here really is taking this [jet-skis] issue as seriously as many people want them to take it.''

September's retirement of Vice Governor Dr Sommai Preechasin and the transfer of Vice Governor Jamleran leaves Phuket with only the expertise of Vice Governor Somkiet Sangkaosutthirak to help guide Governor Nisit, who arrived in October.

Replacements for the other two vice governors have yet to be named.

Vice Governor Jamleran leaves Phuket in a better state than when he arrived.

He was instrumental, with Land Transport Department officials, in driving reforms that led to all taxis and tuk-tuks being registered - although outlandishly high taxi and tuk-tuk fares remain one of Phuket's biggest barriers to tourism success.

Phuketwan owes VG Jamleran thanks for coining the site's motto ''Brave Enough to Change'' when he challenged local officials at a meeting by asking: ''Are you brave enough to change?''

The answer is still coming.

Vice Governor Jamleran also put it bluntly at a meeting in September 2013 when he said: ''I want the beaches back for Phuket's people. You have until the end of this week or the Department of Special Investigation will investigate you.''

He got the message right, if not the timing. Only after the military took control in Thailand on May 22 were Phuket's beaches and foreshores cleared of illegal vendors and structures.