PM's Thinking: 'Work for the People'
GOVERNOR Dr Preecha Ruangjan met the Prime Minister in Bangkok yesterday and today passed on the message: ''Work for the people, not for politics.''
PM Abhisit Vejjajiva met all 76 Governors of Thailand's provinces yesterday because he wants the country's key administrators all moving in the same direction.
What he does not want is for Phuket's governor and other governors to become immersed in politics, Dr Preecha told Phuketwan.
''He really hopes all the governors will do their job properly,'' Dr Preecha said.
A multi-billion baht economic plan involving the whole country would be spelled out mid-year, Dr Preecha said.
Phuket has been promised a future as a special economic zone but these things take time. Local people should have a say, Dr Preecha said.
The governor believes the people of Phuket needs to become energised and have more of a say in development and other issues on the island.
After two-and-a half months in the job, he is happy to say: ''I love Phuket.''
The island people have impressed him with their awareness of the issues and thoughtful approach.
But he is keen for people to take decision-making into their own hands.
He also expressed strong support for the words of the Permanent Secretary of the Department of the Interior, Dr Peerapon Taitasawit, who opened the Patong Carnival last month with a speech telling local leaders that they should serve the community rather than ''taking the opportunity to line their pockets.''
Dr Preecha believes that business and politics should be separate. If people want to make money, they should stick to business, not pretend to serve the people.
When asked about the outlook for Phuket in 2009, he said the island did not have the same kind of problems as other provinces. Even with the downturn in tourism, the essential advantages of the island were still in place.
''In Bangkok, the situation for hotels is awful,'' he said. ''Their occupancy rates have fallen enormously. But Phuket is Phuket.
''Things may be bad here but they are much worse in other places.''
Other governors told him yesterday how fortunate Phuket remained.
"But if construction keeps polluting the sea,'' we may have a problem. I cannot control development but the local people can.
''They must take a stand and make decisions for themselves.''
On foreign investment, he said that Thai law also applied. It was once again the local communities who had the ability to determine the level of foreign involvement.
On security for tourists, police are now reporting daily to the governor. The amount of crime involving visitors as victims was falling, he said.
All police and local authorities had been told to ''treat tourists as they would treat their own parents.''
''Don't charge the tourists too much, and they will come back,'' Dr Preecha said. ''People in the tourism industry should be thinking long-term, not short-term.''
His personal view is that tourism is Phuket's best future pursuit, not property sales.
''Some opportunists make too much money without giving anything back,'' he said.
''The Pearl of the Andaman will not shine once it is permanently chipped and tarnished.''
Follow the law, and there will be no problems, he added.
And for those who wonder whether Dr Preecha is a straight-shooter, we can confirm that under the glass on his desk is a cardboard target from a gallery.
He has kept it for six years.
Dr Preecha scored 47 out of a possible 50, and made a mess of the bullseye by hitting 10, 10, 9, 9 and 9. He appears to be aiming to keep his eye on the target.
Insights on the Governor's Thinking
Phuket Governor Urges Rejection of 'Greed'
The outspoken Governor of Phuket has made his philosophy for 2009 plain in a New Year message that urges individuals to reject greed and adopt generosity and fairness instead.
Phuket Governor Urges Rejection of 'Greed'
Phuket Promise: Special Island Economic Zone
Photo Album Phuket can look forward in 2009 to government promises made by a senior minister. In the new deal: the island becomes a special economic zone and gains fair annual funding.
Phuket Promise: Special Island Economic Zone
Phuket Authorities Told: 'Stop The Tourist Rip-Offs'
Update The opening speech for the Patong Carnival became a warning to local authorities to stop the rip offs as a senior Bangkok bureaucrat had his say in public.
Phuket Authorities Told: 'Stop The Tourist Rip-Offs'
Phuket Governor Ordered Off 'Private' Beach
Phuket's new governor was ordered off a '' private'' beach soon after arriving on the island, which may explain his unhelpful attitude when he met the Jumeirah project investment team.
Phuket Governor Ordered Off 'Private' Beach
In relation to the above
The amount of crime involving visitors as victims will indeed be falling - because the visitor are falling rapidly!
Also the advise "not to charge the tourist too much - and they will return" is very sound advice" as is "treat tourist as you would your parent" is also sound advice. It is very gratifying for tourists to see that someone in control is now addressing what has been an issue for years - well done!
Posted by Old hand at Phuket on January 9, 2009 13:30