GOVERNOR Wichai Praisa-ngob from Phuket was one of 25 provincial governors who visited Spain for a week to broaden education about trends and possibilities. The governors spent Sunday brainstorming together in Spain before flying back.
Governor Wichai told Phuketwan yesterday that Phuket was more natural than Spain, but Phuket did not understand how to improve the beauty of the island.
''People here just think 'me first, me first, me first,''' he said. ''There is no sense of sharing and growing together. We have to change that mindset,'' he added.
He said that a good public transport system and other attributes could follow if Phuket could absorb some of these community-oriented approaches.
He said he thought Phuket people could actually make more by taking a long-term view. He noted a cable car in Spain of the kind that would work well going up to Phuket's Big Buddha.
In Spain, he said, there was no sense of the tourists being a source of instant income. ''On Phuket, the rip-offs have to stop,'' he said. ''It's not too late. Sort it out and everyone will want to come here.''
Governor Wichai said he planned to try to implement some good ideas in his final three months. ''I will be gone after that, so Phuket people are the ones who have to pursue these ideals,'' he said.
All of the governors on the working trip were from tourism provinces.
Phuket World Expo 2020: Bidding Begins TodayGovernor Wichai told Phuketwan yesterday that Phuket was more natural than Spain, but Phuket did not understand how to improve the beauty of the island.
''People here just think 'me first, me first, me first,''' he said. ''There is no sense of sharing and growing together. We have to change that mindset,'' he added.
He said that a good public transport system and other attributes could follow if Phuket could absorb some of these community-oriented approaches.
He said he thought Phuket people could actually make more by taking a long-term view. He noted a cable car in Spain of the kind that would work well going up to Phuket's Big Buddha.
In Spain, he said, there was no sense of the tourists being a source of instant income. ''On Phuket, the rip-offs have to stop,'' he said. ''It's not too late. Sort it out and everyone will want to come here.''
Governor Wichai said he planned to try to implement some good ideas in his final three months. ''I will be gone after that, so Phuket people are the ones who have to pursue these ideals,'' he said.
All of the governors on the working trip were from tourism provinces.
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Gov,you are dead right! ME FIRST! Sums up the mentality here completely now; on the roads, in corrupt Government departments, and as a price and business practice.
Get as much as you can and get it now and to hell with the long term consequences or reputation of the region.
What a shame that over-development and mass tourism in general has destroyed the 'Sanuk' nature of people here in Phuket and encouraged their quest for the quick buck.
Posted by Hugh Jarse on June 23, 2010 11:48