THE Governor of Phuket will meet with local authorities next week about tuk-tuks after talking tonight to representatives from 16 nations who provide the island with much of its tourist income.

Governor Wichai Praisa-ngob listened to what the honorary consuls had to say at the precedent-setting gathering at Royal Phuket City Hotel.

Some honorary consuls spoke plainly about problems encountered by tourists on the island.

Problems included excessive tuk-tuk fares, the handing of passports to hire-car and hire-motorcycle operators, lack of explanation of charges by police, and lack of notification of arrests to embassies or honorary consuls.

Governor Wichai welcomed the chance to hear the views of the honorary consuls and said he would look at the issues that had been raised, beginning with tuk-tuks.

Listening to an English-Thai translation, provided by the Foreign Ministry's Phuket office, were representatives from the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the director of the Foreign Ministry, Phuket, the Orborjor, the Chamber of Commerce, Immigration at Phuket Airport, the Resources and Environment Phuket Office, Phuket Tourist Police and the Chief of the Provincial Administration Group.

The meeting lasted two-and-a-half hours and will be reported in full tomorrow at Phuketwan.