PHUKET authorities have acknowledged that Phuket's public transport system needs jump-starting and criticised Bangkok researchers for failing to take account of Phuket's culture and local opinions.

Vice Governor Niwit Aroonrat said that it was ''unbelievable'' that only one meeting was held on such an important topic last year and undertook to chair one meeting a month from now on.

Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation Chief Executive Paiboon Upatising told about 20 officials that Phuket's economy and culture needed to be considered in any serious plan for a light rail transport system.

He criticised representatives from the Transport and Traffic Policy Office, Ministry of Transport, for failing to consult with Phuket authorities and locals before or after commissioning research on Phuket's public transport needs.

The meeting at Phuket City's Provincial Hall heard that the research was commissioned from a Chinese company that recommended 12 billion baht be spent.

''Where is the money?'' Khun Paiboon asked. ''Where is our participation in your research?''

Khun Paiboon said that public transport was an integral part of life on Phuket and locals needed to be involved in any proposed changes.

Two representatives from Bangkok, Laksenaweadi Thanamee and Sittichai Wattananukit, were among 20 representatives from the Highways Department, Phuket's Transport Office and other departments.

Khun Paiboon said that any monopoly on Phuket public transport was likely to fail because the company that originated it might start by charging low fares, but would probably sell it to a second company and the fares would quickly accelerate to a level beyond the reach of many Phuket people.

Several companies from China have proposed light rail transit systems that would link Phuket International Airport with Phuket City.

Dr Wiwat Keetamanoch, Deputy Director of Phuket's Public Health Department, said that 20,000 vehicles a day now used Phuket's roads, and there were 2000 serious crashes each year.

He said that Korat, east of Bangkok, set a good example where only 14 out of 3000 children in one region failed to use school buses to get to school.

Vice Governor Niwit noted that Phuket had no longer than three to four years to solve its public transport concerns and undertook to ensure that regular monthly meetings were held to fast-track the process.