THE Governor of Phuket wishes everyone on the island a Happy New Year and urges improved individual behavior in 2009.
The message from Dr Precha Ruangjan, who took up the important position in October, has been posted on the provincial government's website.
Because he has a clearcut philosophy on Phuket's future, especially in tourism and property, everything the Governor says and does is being observed with great interest by island residents, local authorities and potential investors.
In Thai and English, a headline on Dr Preecha's message wishes everyone a ''Happy New Year 2009.''
The message is accompanied by a photograph of the Governor, his wife and their children with Cape Promthep in the background.
He then goes on in Thai to say: ''Old year or new year, blessings come from within. Good behavior will bring what it rightly deserves.
''Greed will not bring happiness. A good life comes to those who think of others and are not greedy.
''This year, be generous and fair to others.''
Dr Preecha's New Year message is a sign that his outspoken approach is going to continue unchanged in 2009.
Local officials and businesspeople have been impressed by his energy and his desire to address some of Phuket's long-term problems.
If the new national government keeps a promise made last weekend by a senior minister, Phuket will soon become a special economic zone, with control over its own future.
That would give the new Governor exceptional powers.
Having been ordered off a ''private'' beach early in his tenure before his face became widely known, Dr Preecha has made clear his intention to balance the island's future development with environmental protection.
He has been listening to a broad range of ideas to improve security, reduce corruption and make the island a better place for both tourists and residents.
The Governor's wife, Piyatida, is Phuket Red Cross Society President. Their two teenage children, a son and a daughter, are both still high school students.
The children opted to remain in the family's home province of Nakornsawan to study when the Governor and his wife moved to Phuket. He had been Governor of neighboring Pijid.
The Governor's message can be found at http://www.phuket.go.th/
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
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
The message from Dr Precha Ruangjan, who took up the important position in October, has been posted on the provincial government's website.
Because he has a clearcut philosophy on Phuket's future, especially in tourism and property, everything the Governor says and does is being observed with great interest by island residents, local authorities and potential investors.
In Thai and English, a headline on Dr Preecha's message wishes everyone a ''Happy New Year 2009.''
The message is accompanied by a photograph of the Governor, his wife and their children with Cape Promthep in the background.
He then goes on in Thai to say: ''Old year or new year, blessings come from within. Good behavior will bring what it rightly deserves.
''Greed will not bring happiness. A good life comes to those who think of others and are not greedy.
''This year, be generous and fair to others.''
Dr Preecha's New Year message is a sign that his outspoken approach is going to continue unchanged in 2009.
Local officials and businesspeople have been impressed by his energy and his desire to address some of Phuket's long-term problems.
If the new national government keeps a promise made last weekend by a senior minister, Phuket will soon become a special economic zone, with control over its own future.
That would give the new Governor exceptional powers.
Having been ordered off a ''private'' beach early in his tenure before his face became widely known, Dr Preecha has made clear his intention to balance the island's future development with environmental protection.
He has been listening to a broad range of ideas to improve security, reduce corruption and make the island a better place for both tourists and residents.
The Governor's wife, Piyatida, is Phuket Red Cross Society President. Their two teenage children, a son and a daughter, are both still high school students.
The children opted to remain in the family's home province of Nakornsawan to study when the Governor and his wife moved to Phuket. He had been Governor of neighboring Pijid.
The Governor's message can be found at http://www.phuket.go.th/
Essential Reading
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
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
Hopefully our new governor will address the Tuk-Tuk problem, too. This might improve the image of Phuket tremendously.
Posted by Fritz Pinguin on January 3, 2009 09:46