News Analysis: Nice Photo Album Above
THE Governors of Phuket and Phang Nga are to retire at the same time before October 1, opening the path to renewed control over the future of the two most important tourism provinces in Thailand.
Both Governors - Wichai Praisa-ngob of Phuket and Yiamsuriya Palusuk of Phang Nga - will farewell the local media at a combined party in Phang Nga on August 21-22.
The following day, Khun Wichai is due to meet Phuket's honorary consuls and embassy representatives in a third innovative ''summit,'' a move that marks one of the big changes of his brief but highly significant tenure.
For the first time, expat residents and tourists have a voice in what's happening on Phuket, and even the local Thai media is beginning to show signs of interest in what the outsiders have to say.
''I hope to make some more changes before I go,'' Khun Wichai told Phuketwan this week. ''I plan to keep working to improve Phuket up to the last minute.''
The two neighboring provinces may seem to be moving in different directions at times, but their future in tourism and property is as much in lockstep as that of a pair of runners in a three-legged race.
Both are struggling to put the brakes on development before the beauty of the Andaman coast is buried deep behind long concrete strips of shophouses, shopping malls and franchise outlets.
Property developers and their boosters may see it differently, but both governors will tell you privately that if they could stop all building in both provinces today, they would.
People use the word ''sustainable'' to describe the future of Phuket and Phang Nga (and Krabi too, where the present governor is reluctant to express any views to the media).
''Sustainable'' is a weasel word because what is ''sustainable'' to a property developer is vastly different to what is ''sustainable'' to an environmentalist. So Phuketwan chooses the old-fashioned word, ''balance,'' instead.
What is required for the future of both provinces to retain an appeal to future generations this century and into the 22nd century is a real balance, an ongoing balance between nature and development.
Both the retiring governors have been good for balance. In Phang Nga, the brakes are on. The government realises that for the future of Thailand's children and grandchildren, the beauty of the region needs to be preserved.
Strategic planning is required. All future development must be controlled. At the same time, the beaches and the coral reefs and the mountains must be preserved and protected.
Phuket? Well, Phuket will inevitably lurch towards over-development because the brakes have not been applied early enough, because corruption and greed remain rampant, and because there have been decades of neglect by local authorities.
The understanding that constant progress and prosperity comes at a price is far broader now. Even the greedy and the corrupt are starting to pause and wonder.
The two governors who are saying goodbye to Phuket and Phang Nga soon have helped to improve understanding of the issues.
As a former governor of Phang Nga, Phuket's Khun Wichai came to the job last year with a finely-tuned understanding of the needs of the holiday coast. To his credit, his view of the future is based on environmental realism.
While Governor Wichai would agree that Phuket already has too many built-up areas, he also understands that new roads and infrastructure are essential for the island's projected growth.
Among his achievements in a short time: taming Patong's jet-ski rip-offs, establishing a special environmental committee to halt the rape of Phuket's natural assets, accentuating the real budgetary needs of Phuket, and giving a regular forum to expats and tourists.
He also has a public transport system for the island firmly in his sights. We expect to hear a bit more from Governor Wichai on this and other matters before September 30 ticks over into October 1.
The key for the national government will be to appoint two new and energetic governors to Phuket and Phang Nga who understand the issues confronting the whole Andaman coast and are dedicated to achieving a proper balance between nature and development.
The past few years have been important to the Andaman's future: the next few years will decide it.
Updating Report An Australian man crashed a rented motorcycle on Phuket's notorious Patong Hill and was killed, Phuketwan has been told.
Phuket Tragedy: Aussie Dies in Patong Hill Crash
Phuket Road Crash, Fire: Fifteen Victims in Hospitals
Updated Report A crash on a well known road between Chalong and Karon in Phuket's south has sparked a fire. The dramatic collision put 15 people into two hospitals on Phuket.
Phuket Road Crash, Fire: Fifteen Victims in Hospitals
Phuket a Key to Thai Tiger 'Air War' in Region
News Analysis The decision by Thai Airways and Tiger to form a new budget airline indicates that Phuket will be central to the future expansion of air travel in the region.
Phuket a Key to Thai Tiger 'Air War' in Region
Phuket and the Taj Exotica: A Romance For Our Times
News Analysis The love affair between Phuket and the Taj Exotica continues to be an intriguing dalliance that displays all the signs of a modern romance, short of commitment and marriage.
Phuket and the Taj Exotica: A Romance For Our Times
Police Reject Phuket Vendors' Bribery Accusations
Photo Album Allegations of large scale corruption were being aired in public almost at the same time as one senior government minister was speaking out against corruption on Phuket.
Police Reject Phuket Vendors' Bribery Accusations
Within the constraints of the system the current Gov has done his best to be proactive and sort out some of the issues concerning Phuket. Sometimes people have failed to see the minor successes he has had hidden within bolder plans. Evolution, not revolution is the way ahead and hopefully his successor will have a similar mindset.
Best of luck to Gov Wichai in his retirement.
Posted by Mister Ree on August 4, 2010 12:06