PHUKET: Long-standing Phuket honorary consul Dirk Naumann is to be replaced in the role next month - by his daughter.
The official hand-over of the role to Mrs Anette Jimenez Hoechstetter comes with a visit by the German Ambassador, Rolf
Schulze, to the island on July 18.
Women are playing a much greater role in Phuket's affairs, with the appointment of Mrs Jimenez Hoechstetter following closely the appointment of Canadian lawyer Michelle Hawryluk as Australia's honorary consul designate to replace Larry Cunningham.
Next month Ambassador Schulze is to meet with Phuket Governor Maitree Intrusud, the President of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation, Paiboon Upatising, and the new Phuket Police Commander, Major General Karajang Suwannarat.
Mr Naumann is acknowledged as the honorary consul who has done most over more than a decade to raise the issues of rip-offs of tourists and excessive taxi and tuk-tuk fares as well as the need for tourists to abide by Thailand's laws.
His completion of his term as honorary consul comes with major reforms underway, thanks to the military authorities who took over Thailand on May 22.
The taxi and tuk-tuk drivers are at last being tamed. The island's beaches may yet be removed from the private profit-takers.
It was Ambassador Schulze's predecessor in the role, Dr Hanns H. Schumacher, who persuaded Phuket Governor Wichai Praisa-ngob in 2009 to meet with Phuket's honorary consuls every three months.
Governor Wichai liked the idea of openly discussing jet-ski ripoffs, tailor touts, mysterious deaths and corrupt activities.
The forums, involving the honorary consuls and representatives from all of Phuket's key authorities, proved to be an ideal place for airing different views about Phuket's problems and the need for improvements.
Under the present Governor, Maitree Intrusud, the gatherings have been held with decreasing frequency and become a private chat.
A year ago, Governor Maitree met with a delegation of European Union ambassadors and undertook to revive the honorary consuls' forums.
The official hand-over of the role to Mrs Anette Jimenez Hoechstetter comes with a visit by the German Ambassador, Rolf
Schulze, to the island on July 18.
Women are playing a much greater role in Phuket's affairs, with the appointment of Mrs Jimenez Hoechstetter following closely the appointment of Canadian lawyer Michelle Hawryluk as Australia's honorary consul designate to replace Larry Cunningham.
Next month Ambassador Schulze is to meet with Phuket Governor Maitree Intrusud, the President of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation, Paiboon Upatising, and the new Phuket Police Commander, Major General Karajang Suwannarat.
Mr Naumann is acknowledged as the honorary consul who has done most over more than a decade to raise the issues of rip-offs of tourists and excessive taxi and tuk-tuk fares as well as the need for tourists to abide by Thailand's laws.
His completion of his term as honorary consul comes with major reforms underway, thanks to the military authorities who took over Thailand on May 22.
The taxi and tuk-tuk drivers are at last being tamed. The island's beaches may yet be removed from the private profit-takers.
It was Ambassador Schulze's predecessor in the role, Dr Hanns H. Schumacher, who persuaded Phuket Governor Wichai Praisa-ngob in 2009 to meet with Phuket's honorary consuls every three months.
Governor Wichai liked the idea of openly discussing jet-ski ripoffs, tailor touts, mysterious deaths and corrupt activities.
The forums, involving the honorary consuls and representatives from all of Phuket's key authorities, proved to be an ideal place for airing different views about Phuket's problems and the need for improvements.
Under the present Governor, Maitree Intrusud, the gatherings have been held with decreasing frequency and become a private chat.
A year ago, Governor Maitree met with a delegation of European Union ambassadors and undertook to revive the honorary consuls' forums.
Wow. No comment at all. The German embassy will like it. Well done, Phuketwan.
Posted by Lena on June 30, 2014 20:22
Editor Comment:
Guesswork, supposition and unsubstantiated attacks on individuals by one-name commenters will always be considered unfair, unwelcome and unpublishable here, Lena. You are the only one who has a problem. I suggest you raise the issue with the German Embassy.