SORTING out tuk-tuks on Phuket was an enormous task compared to fixing the problems with jet-skis, Phuket Governor Wichai Praisa-ngob said today.
Jet-skis belonged to just a small group but there were more than 1000 tuk-tuk drivers, the governor said.
''If the numbers of jet-skis and tuk-tuks continues to grow, it means local authorities are taking bribes,'' he said.
He agreed that there may still be problems with jet-ski operators trying to cheat tourists. The insurance system was not liked by everyone, he said.
He called for more information from anyone who had a bad experience with jet-ski operators.
''Please remember the number of the jet-ski and go straight to the tourist police, Provincial Hall or your embassy,'' he said.
He has asked the local tessaban councils to post signs on the beaches telling tourists what to do in the event of a jet-ski incident.
Governor Wichai said that if there was enough evidence against a particular operator, he would order the confiscation of the jet-ski.
He added that there should be a cap on existing numbers of jet-skis, and there was no guarantee that the 41 currently uninsured would be allowed to operate.
The governor was talking to the media at Provincial Hall in Phuket City for the first time this year.
People who worked in service areas, from local authorities to police to tuk-tuk drivers, needed to be professional on Phuket when dealing with tourists.
''The island doesn't need lazy, self-interested people,'' the governor said.
Often, he said, he had difficulty gaining the right kind of assistance from the government.
''If I need a knife to cut some vegetables, they will send me a broom,'' he said.
Cooperative participation for unselfish reasons was important, he said.
Phuket is based on tourism and people who benefitted from the industry needed to always keep the proper care of tourists in mind as a priority.
He agreed that Thailand's 2am closing law sometimes presented a problem when tourists were here to have fun.
Phuket Governor Lashes Environment 'Guardians'Jet-skis belonged to just a small group but there were more than 1000 tuk-tuk drivers, the governor said.
''If the numbers of jet-skis and tuk-tuks continues to grow, it means local authorities are taking bribes,'' he said.
He agreed that there may still be problems with jet-ski operators trying to cheat tourists. The insurance system was not liked by everyone, he said.
He called for more information from anyone who had a bad experience with jet-ski operators.
''Please remember the number of the jet-ski and go straight to the tourist police, Provincial Hall or your embassy,'' he said.
He has asked the local tessaban councils to post signs on the beaches telling tourists what to do in the event of a jet-ski incident.
Governor Wichai said that if there was enough evidence against a particular operator, he would order the confiscation of the jet-ski.
He added that there should be a cap on existing numbers of jet-skis, and there was no guarantee that the 41 currently uninsured would be allowed to operate.
The governor was talking to the media at Provincial Hall in Phuket City for the first time this year.
People who worked in service areas, from local authorities to police to tuk-tuk drivers, needed to be professional on Phuket when dealing with tourists.
''The island doesn't need lazy, self-interested people,'' the governor said.
Often, he said, he had difficulty gaining the right kind of assistance from the government.
''If I need a knife to cut some vegetables, they will send me a broom,'' he said.
Cooperative participation for unselfish reasons was important, he said.
Phuket is based on tourism and people who benefitted from the industry needed to always keep the proper care of tourists in mind as a priority.
He agreed that Thailand's 2am closing law sometimes presented a problem when tourists were here to have fun.
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He called for more information from anyone who had a bad experience with jet-ski operators.
So where do we report things? What is the contact info for him? the local TAT? and my tessaban?
Editor: Call 076 213203 . . . or e: dumrongtum_phuket@hotmail.com (dumrongtum means ''justice'') We'd recommend also calling an embassy.
Posted by VFaye on January 4, 2010 17:37