TOURISM or transport will become the specialist subject for former Phuket Governor Wichai Praisa-ngob when he takes his seat soon in Thailand's Senate, potentially a fresh force for change.
Under the charismatic ex-administrator's watch, jet-ski rip-offs, tuk-tuk extortion and the absence of a proper public transport network all became big talking points on Phuket.
They are still big talking points. In his first interview with Phuketwan as a freshly appointed senator, the former Phuket governor said he was anxious to begin his new role - and to help Phuket where he could.
''I won't have the power to decide anything but I will be able to make suggestions and push for worthy projects,'' he said from his farm home in Nakornphatom province, where he has been growing and selling trees and plants.
Senator Wichai said that putting meters into tuk-tuks and taxis on Phuket and reasserting proper management of scamming jet-ski operators remained high on his list of things that Phuket needs.
Coincidentally, his appointment comes as Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban oversees a six-week investigation of rip-offs on Phuket and at other prominent destinations for tourists, as well as Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi international airport.
Both moves are signs that improvements are possible in the face of Phuket's chronic flaws.
''I am happy to help Phuket to gain what it deserves,'' Senator Wichai said. ''As a former governor of both Phuket and Phang Nga, I have a fairly complete knowledge of the Andaman.
''I intend to give Phuket what it needs, not what it wants,'' he said, perhaps indicating a well-formed viewpoint.
While the senator was Governor of Phuket, he expressed a desire to slow development and introduced a special committee to control environmental permissions that had previously become too easy to gain.
What had he been doing after retirement? ''I'm a farmer, in the forest,'' he told Phuketwan, a comment that brought audible chuckles from his wife in the background.
Given his love of the Phuket palmyra and its introduction along the length of Phuket's backbone Thepkasattri Road from the airport to Phuket City, growing and selling trees seemed an ideal retirement role.
As a senator, his green thumb will now be turned up or down based on his first-hand knowledge of Phuket and Phang Nga.
After his appointment as governor pf Phuket, the biggest challenge became running the Asean summit involving US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton after Thailand's reputation was marred when red-shirts invaded and ended an Asean summit in Pattaya in 2009.
Later that year, Phuket produced a regional foreign minister's summit without a hitch, establishing the island's reputation as an alternative trouble-free hub for air traffic especially when troubles strike in and around Bangkok.
The senator, now in his 60s, said that high rents for limos and cabs charged by Airports of Thailand at Phuket airport remained one of the causes behind excessively high taxi fares on Phuket, something he intends to change if he can.
''If tourism becomes my specialty, then I will certainly be looking at the quality of service,'' Senator Wichai said.
''Tourists have to meet the high prices that are being asked for transport and for food, and often there is no justification for these prices,'' he told Phuketwan.
''I hear that jet-ski operators are still scamming Phuket visitors. It's a pity that the innovative insurance scheme I introduced was not properly pursued.''
In perhaps a momentary understatement, Senator Wichai said Phuket was ''a bit different'' to other Thai provinces because of its mix of resident locals, sea gypsies, tourists, and people who came from other parts of Thailand looking for work.
''I hope I can do more, and I'd like to thank people for their continuing support,'' he said.
Aussie Media Damns Phuket's Jet-Ski ScamsUnder the charismatic ex-administrator's watch, jet-ski rip-offs, tuk-tuk extortion and the absence of a proper public transport network all became big talking points on Phuket.
They are still big talking points. In his first interview with Phuketwan as a freshly appointed senator, the former Phuket governor said he was anxious to begin his new role - and to help Phuket where he could.
''I won't have the power to decide anything but I will be able to make suggestions and push for worthy projects,'' he said from his farm home in Nakornphatom province, where he has been growing and selling trees and plants.
Senator Wichai said that putting meters into tuk-tuks and taxis on Phuket and reasserting proper management of scamming jet-ski operators remained high on his list of things that Phuket needs.
Coincidentally, his appointment comes as Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban oversees a six-week investigation of rip-offs on Phuket and at other prominent destinations for tourists, as well as Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi international airport.
Both moves are signs that improvements are possible in the face of Phuket's chronic flaws.
''I am happy to help Phuket to gain what it deserves,'' Senator Wichai said. ''As a former governor of both Phuket and Phang Nga, I have a fairly complete knowledge of the Andaman.
''I intend to give Phuket what it needs, not what it wants,'' he said, perhaps indicating a well-formed viewpoint.
While the senator was Governor of Phuket, he expressed a desire to slow development and introduced a special committee to control environmental permissions that had previously become too easy to gain.
What had he been doing after retirement? ''I'm a farmer, in the forest,'' he told Phuketwan, a comment that brought audible chuckles from his wife in the background.
Given his love of the Phuket palmyra and its introduction along the length of Phuket's backbone Thepkasattri Road from the airport to Phuket City, growing and selling trees seemed an ideal retirement role.
As a senator, his green thumb will now be turned up or down based on his first-hand knowledge of Phuket and Phang Nga.
After his appointment as governor pf Phuket, the biggest challenge became running the Asean summit involving US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton after Thailand's reputation was marred when red-shirts invaded and ended an Asean summit in Pattaya in 2009.
Later that year, Phuket produced a regional foreign minister's summit without a hitch, establishing the island's reputation as an alternative trouble-free hub for air traffic especially when troubles strike in and around Bangkok.
The senator, now in his 60s, said that high rents for limos and cabs charged by Airports of Thailand at Phuket airport remained one of the causes behind excessively high taxi fares on Phuket, something he intends to change if he can.
''If tourism becomes my specialty, then I will certainly be looking at the quality of service,'' Senator Wichai said.
''Tourists have to meet the high prices that are being asked for transport and for food, and often there is no justification for these prices,'' he told Phuketwan.
''I hear that jet-ski operators are still scamming Phuket visitors. It's a pity that the innovative insurance scheme I introduced was not properly pursued.''
In perhaps a momentary understatement, Senator Wichai said Phuket was ''a bit different'' to other Thai provinces because of its mix of resident locals, sea gypsies, tourists, and people who came from other parts of Thailand looking for work.
''I hope I can do more, and I'd like to thank people for their continuing support,'' he said.
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Former Phuket Governor Wichai Praisa-ngob was a good governor by all accounts.
I pray that Senator Wichai Praisa-ngob continues in his quest for a better Phuket for all people.
Chok dee sir.
Posted by Graham on April 20, 2011 12:00