GOVERNOR Wichai Praisa-ngob is celebrating his 60th birthday today, and Monday marks his first anniversary at the controls of Planet Phuket.

It has been quite a ride.

In an interview with Phuketwan to mark his action-packed year, Governor Wichai said he still has high hopes for sorting out some of Phuket's entrenched problems.

''Once I retire and move away, I'd like to know that when I do return as a tourist, Phuket will be free from protests and squabbling.'' he said.

''I'd like to see when I return a Phuket with public transport that takes me everywhere, from the airport or the bus station.

''I'd also like to see Phuket as a place of great beauty, kept tidy by its concerned citizens.''

That's the future. The governor still has until September to make good use of his extension beyond normal retirement.

For now, he says, Phuket people continue to impress him.

''Now people seem to understand why Phuket needs to change and they appreciate that these problems need to be sorted,'' he said.

The island's rip-offs come with the tourists, he said. ''In some cases, visitors even rip off each other. I understand some foreigners in the property business use gaps in the law to exploit others. These groups have to improve themselves.

''The people who only come here to make money have to also treat the island with respect.''

He said local authorities had to be honest in their dealings and solve the problems.

''The main thing is the tuk-tuks,'' he said. ''They are still a big problem. Police and local authorities have never done the right thing.''

The governor has said he does not believe the tuk-tuk drivers are sincere about reforming their industry from within. He is probably going to opt for compulsory meters.

On Immigration processing delays at Phuket airport, Governor Wichai said more counters to process arrivals swiftly were definitely required. More scanners were needed at the entrances to the airport, too, to avoid queuing.

''Phuket makes a lot of money for Thailand,'' he said. ''The government in Bangkok and Airports of Thailand must support Phuket more fully.

''Phuket has good weather,good food, good hotels and hospitable people,'' he said. ''It's a very safe place for a holiday.''

Governor Wichai had some words for those people who rip off tourists: ''Think about it. Why not keep a good relationship with them? Don't treat them as short-term means to making an income.

''Treat them well and they will come back again and again. Now Phuket has to be part of the wider world.''

Memorable moments from Governor Wichai's year include: crooning over the loudspeaker to blockaders at the West Sands Resort; paying the fine for the Beer Mat Bandit; planting a row of palmyra down Phuket's main thoroughfare; ordering the jet-ski operators to take on compulsory insurance; setting up a genuine environmental approvals process; agreeing to a historic summit with 15 honorary consuls.

There will probably be more. Give him a day or so.