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Phuketwan's Dossier on Phuket Corruption

Phuketwan's Dossier on Phuket Corruption

Sunday, May 22, 2011
HERE'S the Phuketwan Dossier on Corruption on Phuket. Two investigations are underway into different aspects of corruption on the otherwise-pleasant and appealing island.

As Phuket's greedy fall out, local examples are constantly surfacing of corruption.

About 20 Phuket honorary consuls, meeting regularly with Phuket's administrators every three months, have highlighted demands for bribes in return for illegally-held passports, continuing scams by Patong jet-ski operators, the detrimental effect on tourism of timeshare and tailor touts, and the excessive fares charged by tuk-tuk and taxi drivers.

The main aim of the international envoys is to make Phuket a safe and secure place for tourists - and for all Phuket residents as well.

Bribes to authorities are also blamed for breaches of laws designed to protect Phuket's natural beauty, putting at risk the beaches, the coral reefs and the island's green and pleasant surroundings.

Expats who condone and in some cases exploit corruption are among those at fault for the crisis on Phuket that is putting its future as a tourist destination at risk.

PM Orders Phuket Corruption Investigation


Phuket Transport 'at the Core of Most Phuket Problems'
Latest With the backing of the Prime Minister, an in depth investigation has begun with the aim of correcting all of Phuket's problems as soon as possible. Transport is No. 1.
Phuket Transport 'at the Core of Most Phuket Problems'

Phuket Expat Guides Cheat System, Probe Told
Latest A special investigator ordered by the PM to ''fix Phuket'' is told that guides and tour companies from Korea and Russia have help in flaunting Thai laws.
Phuket Expat Guides Cheat System, Probe Told

Phuket's Touts and Mafia: Probe Told of Illegal Payments
Special Report Several ''mafias'' exist on Phuket, a special investigation ordered by the PM is told. And just how do some timeshare and tailor touts obtain real work permits?
Phuket's Touts and Mafia: Probe Told of Illegal Payments

'Fix Phuket': PM's Man On The Spot Aims to Clean Up All of Phuket's Troubles
Special Report During an astonishing long meeting today, the man ordered by the Prime Minister to ''fix Phuket'' made it plain that extortion and corruption may be numbered.
'Fix Phuket': PM's Man On The Spot Aims to Clean Up All of Phuket's Troubles

Deputy PM's Undercover Investigation


Phuket Corruption Probe Begins, Action Planned
Breaking News For two weeks, officials of the Public Sector Anti Corruption Commission have been conducting investigations and interviews on Phuket. Action will follow.
Phuket Corruption Probe Begins, Action Planned

Thailand Probes Tourist Rip-Offs: Phuket Joins In
EXCLUSIVE Deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban heads a high level 'scam summit' aimed at exposing Thailand's tourism rip offs and corruption, says Phuket Vice Governor Niwit Aroonrat.
Thailand Probes Tourist Rip-Offs: Phuket Joins In

Honorary Consuls' Campaign Continues


Phuket Changes Push Aided by Aussie Ambassador
News Analysis Pressure for changes on Phuket is intensifying. Next week's important meeting of honorary consuls will come with a visit from Australia's ambassador.
Phuket Changes Push Aided by Aussie Ambassador

Honorary Consul Calls for Phuket Residents to Act 'Before it's Too Late'
Latest With a sixth meeting with the governor a few days away, a senior Phuket honorary consul is calling for Phuket residents to get active and help save their island.
Honorary Consul Calls for Phuket Residents to Act 'Before it's Too Late'

The Singapore Solution to Corruption


Planet Phuket Project: Making Tuk-Tuks, Taxis Fair
The Quest for Answers Phuketwan's Planet Phuket Project, with Singapore's Lee Kwan Yew School of Public Policy, aims to find ways of solving corruption and other problems on the holiday island.
Planet Phuket Project: Making Tuk-Tuks, Taxis Fair

Planet Phuket Project: Crunching Corruption
The Quest for Answers Phuket has the offer of expert help now to prepare the island for a corruption free future, necessary to achieve fairness and balance for future generations.
Planet Phuket Project: Crunching Corruption

Planet Phuket Project: How Phuket Went Wrong
The Quest for Answers Clarity is being sought to solve Phuket's problems with some help from scholars at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore.
Planet Phuket Project: How Phuket Went Wrong

Phuketwan's Letter to the PM


Dear PM, Please Make Phuket Corruption-Free
Latest Happy Birthday, Mr Prime Minister. Here's a gift to you, an idea that could make Phuket and perhaps Thailand better places. Start your fight against corruption here, on one small island.
Dear PM, Please Make Phuket Corruption-Free

Phuket and Corruption: The Thai Perspective
The Big Picture Here's a thorough overview of corruption in Thailand that also provides plenty of insights about what happens on Phuket. It's part of Phuketwan's Challenge for Change.
Phuket and Corruption: The Thai Perspective

Comments

Comments have been disabled for this article.

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Let's all hope a difference can be made. It is a shame to see what is happening not only in Phuket but in Thailand in general. I have made several trips to Thailand with my family for holidays and we love it. But Myanmar or Laos might be worth a try.

Posted by Richard on May 22, 2011 09:03

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Corruption is endemic and is part of the fabric of Thai society. Ridding it will take a generation, however, that first step needs to start somewhere and perhaps Phuket may lead the way.

Are the new shoots of society viewing corruption as anti-social, stymieing development and abhorrent beginning to flourish? We live in hope.

Posted by Mr Man on May 22, 2011 11:45

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Why is there no mention of Phuket Immigration department?

Posted by Mike Boyd on May 22, 2011 18:12

Editor Comment:

Is this a trick question, Mike?

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Probably.

Posted by Mike Boyd on May 23, 2011 02:21

Editor Comment:

Immigration was not mentioned at the open meeting we reported and the organisation conducting the other investigation has not revealed what was discussed.

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As America did with mafia boss Al Capone, the Thai Administration has to bring down influential people and corrupted officials through tax controls by the Revenue Department.

Posted by Whistle-Blower on June 5, 2011 14:31


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