News Analysis
THERE'S an international conference on corruption scheduled for Thailand in November, and it just might be Phuket's best chance to get a few of its problems sorted.
Fifteen hundred delegates are coming from more than 130 countries, and Prime Minister Abhist Vejjajiva has already begun to make remarks about the importance of finding a solution for corruption in Thailand.
Phuketwan's suggestion is that if the PM really does aim to make Thailand corruption-free, he should start with a small, self-contained province - Phuket, to be precise. Wipe out corruption on Phuket first, then use the lessons learned by the experience to tackle corruption in the other 75 provinces.
One problem is, though, that while many visitors and residents on Phuket understand the entrenched nature of corruption on the island, the word still has not spread very far. Phuket people need to start spreading the word now.
When Governor Wichai Praisa-ngob retires in September, that will be the ideal time to accelerate the process to end corruption on Phuket. Whoever takes over from Governor Wichai should be given a clear mandate by the PM: ''Your job is to obliterate corruption on Phuket. You have my support to undertake this difficult task, and you can rely on the full authority of the government.''
Anyone who wants that process to begin on Phuket soon should start lobbying the PM and the government now. It can be done, and it must be done, for the sake of Phuket's future, and for Thailand. Write a letter, tell your MP or your ambassador, or even the PM, that it's a good idea.
The problem is, of course, that Phuket is not widely noted for corruption, beyond those of us who live here and are constantly affected by it. The body that is organising November's big gabfest in Bangkok, the 14th International Anti-Corruption Conference Council, also needs to know about Phuket's problem.
When you write to your MP, the PM or your ambassador, email a copy of the letter to the IACC at info@14iacc.org.
The ''End Corruption on Phuket'' timetable makes 2010 a good time to start. If the topic of corruption is given an airing in August at Phuket's next ''mini-United Nations'' meeting between honorary consuls, embassy representatives and the governor, and if the new governor has a mandate from September to end corruption on Phuket, then PM Abhisit will have something positive to relay to the international anti-corruption summit in November.
There are many ways of explaining the problem of corruption on Phuket, but the most obvious emerged amid laughter as I read the description of Thailand's public transport in an online guide for the IACC conference delegates at www.14iacc.org
Here's what it says:
Transportation
''Public transport in Thailand is plentiful and inexpensive, both in Bangkok and the provinces, making life for the visitor convenient and enjoyable. The main forms are as follows:''
Taxi
''Taxis cruising the city streets are metered. They charge a minimum fare of 35 baht for the first 3 kilometres, and approximately 5 baht per kilometre thereafter. Try to make sure you have the correct money, as taxi drivers are often reluctant to give change! If using an expressway, passengers must pay the amount indicated at each tollgate.''
Tuk-Tuk
''These three-wheeled open-air taxis, named after their engine's distinctive sound, are popular for short journeys, although they are often more expensive than taxis unless you are good at bargaining the fare in advance. Expect to pay 40 baht upwards for even a very short trip.''
So when you have finished laughing, set out to tell your MP, the PM or your ambassador the truth about public transport on the tropical holiday island of Phuket.
Who knows?
Perhaps a sub-committee from the IACC could even be persuaded to come to Phuket to see what we have to put up with for themselves. Now is certainly a great time. Why not make a start today?
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It will be interesting how this will turn out. We understand it's bad for the country itself with corruption, but are people willing to understand this and accept it ?
Publicise movies about corruption, how it works and what it leads to. Show the truth even how much pain it will give, sometimes it's to start sooner than later and sometimes my food don't taste so good, but I know it don't happen so often so I still smile and will enjoy the dinner tomorrow even better.
Another big problem is, the 'corruption', are they ready to move out ?
I hope it will be good for Phuket in future and everyone who has business here to continue a better and safer Phuket. This is both for us and for tourists coming.
Btw, you need a bigger text area field to write in ;)
Posted by Anders on June 19, 2010 15:32