PHUKET: For the first time, Phuket has a real opportunity to solve many of its problems, members of the Phuket Tourist Association agreed today - if only divisions can be mended.
Urging the Minister of Tourism and Sport and the Department of Special investigation to continue their good work, the PTA team also said senior members of the Phuket administration should provide full support.
It was inferred at the meeting that not all of Phuket's administrators supported the latest initiatives to clean up Phuket.
There was no mistaking the target of the comments.
Phuketwan certainly detects the classic line being drawn once again on Phuket between those who want the problems fixed properly once and for all, and those who are happy to sweep them under the carpet, smile sweetly, and move on once their term on the island is over.
Backing the PTA approach today was Suchart Hirankskkun, president of the Thai Hotels Association (Southern Division.)
Somboon Jirayu, former president of the PTA Southern Chapter, said: ''This is the first time in Phuket that we have seen someone doing the work of the Tourism Minister seriously.
''We have seen real progress thanks to Minister Somsak Pureesrisak, and we hope to keep seeing more progress.''
He said that the island's businesspeople ''are surprised that some leading officials are not cooperating as much as one would expect.''
''The Minister and the DSI deserve everybody's full support,'' he said.
An article in the German magazine Der Stern critising Phuket had influenced many German tourists to go further afield to Krabi and Phang Nga, he said.
Another PTA member said: ''Solving Phuket's taxi problems is just one of the problems that Phuket must fix. If not, when the DSI goes back to Bangkok, the same problems will return.''
Another member added: ''The biggest problem about the taxis is that they won't let anybody go to pick up guests in resorts.
''That's Phuket's biggest problem, and it needs to be fixed.''
Most of Phuket's media were at today's conference at the PTA office in the bypass road.
Phuketwan will seek comments from Phuket's administration in coming days about the inference there is not a united front to tackle Phuket's problems.
Urging the Minister of Tourism and Sport and the Department of Special investigation to continue their good work, the PTA team also said senior members of the Phuket administration should provide full support.
It was inferred at the meeting that not all of Phuket's administrators supported the latest initiatives to clean up Phuket.
There was no mistaking the target of the comments.
Phuketwan certainly detects the classic line being drawn once again on Phuket between those who want the problems fixed properly once and for all, and those who are happy to sweep them under the carpet, smile sweetly, and move on once their term on the island is over.
Backing the PTA approach today was Suchart Hirankskkun, president of the Thai Hotels Association (Southern Division.)
Somboon Jirayu, former president of the PTA Southern Chapter, said: ''This is the first time in Phuket that we have seen someone doing the work of the Tourism Minister seriously.
''We have seen real progress thanks to Minister Somsak Pureesrisak, and we hope to keep seeing more progress.''
He said that the island's businesspeople ''are surprised that some leading officials are not cooperating as much as one would expect.''
''The Minister and the DSI deserve everybody's full support,'' he said.
An article in the German magazine Der Stern critising Phuket had influenced many German tourists to go further afield to Krabi and Phang Nga, he said.
Another PTA member said: ''Solving Phuket's taxi problems is just one of the problems that Phuket must fix. If not, when the DSI goes back to Bangkok, the same problems will return.''
Another member added: ''The biggest problem about the taxis is that they won't let anybody go to pick up guests in resorts.
''That's Phuket's biggest problem, and it needs to be fixed.''
Most of Phuket's media were at today's conference at the PTA office in the bypass road.
Phuketwan will seek comments from Phuket's administration in coming days about the inference there is not a united front to tackle Phuket's problems.
Phuket's biggest problem is where does all the money go?
Posted by gee on October 21, 2013 21:58