A MEETING of Phuket's elite community and business leaders has rejected the concept of the Ao Phuket artificial island and a special economic zone.
A number of key questions remained unanswered, so having economic independence and control over revenue was not considered the best option.
The group listened to arguments for and against with manager of the special economic zone projects, Somchai Potiwongsajarn, from Bangkok.
He said he believed Phuket had the potential to create a special economic zone, with a good environment, and the opportunity to manage many projects on its own.
But doubts were expressed about Phuket's ability to take over and manage infrastructure and large projects, including the sports centre, without increasing corruption.
Fears were expressed that the gap between rich and poor would widen, and that it there were critical problems, there would be no national support.
Tribanyat Jariyaperpong, who was there as a representative of the people of Phuket, said Phuket wanted a larger return in funding from the national government, not economic independence.
Among those who assembled at Royal Phuket City Hotel on Tuesday were the Governor, Wichai Praisa-nob, all three Vice Governors, Tunyaratt Achaiyachai, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Tourism of the Senate, Eam Thavornvongwongse, Chairman of the Phuket Chamber of Commerce, Methee Tanmanatragul, President of the Thai Hotels Association, Southern Chapter, Democrat MP Thosaporn Teppabud and Phumikit Rattanamg, Vice President, Phuket Tourist Association.
Phuket Tuk-Tuk Boss: Aren't You Afraid of Me?
Photo Album One Phuket tuk tuk chief has his heart set on speedy forward movement, at the right price. Changes have been introduced in Karon to make the tuk tuk more user friendly.
Phuket Tuk-Tuk Boss: Aren't You Afraid of Me?
Phuket Holiday Crash Wreck Still on Show at Airport
Airport Update Phuket airport expansion plans continue but the wreckage of a plane destroyed in a crash landing almost two years ago still lies within sight of passengers.
Phuket Holiday Crash Wreck Still on Show at Airport
Lucky Escape as Phuket Blaze Makes 85 Homeless
Fire Photo Album Phuket's capacity to provide aid to those in need was being shown after a fire destroyed the homes of 17 sea gypsies. Nobody was hurt. One boy had a narrow escape.
Lucky Escape as Phuket Blaze Makes 85 Homeless
Phuket Half-Yearly Report: All Pain and No Action
Phuket Economic Report With the worldwide downturn, Phuket and Thailand cannot expect tsunami generosity. Revenue will only come with action on the island's enduring defects.
Phuket Half-Yearly Report: All Pain and No Action
Phuket Set for Secure Summit, says Defence Chief
Latest Tourism not terrorism is Phuket's stock in trade. Thailand's Defence Minister pays a visit and says that everything appears to be going fine for the big July summit.
Phuket Set for Secure Summit, says Defence Chief
Update: Evason Resort Makes 68 Redundant
Updated Report Phuketwan has been told by union sources that the Evason management has handed instant termination notices to a large number of staff at the Rawai resort.
Update: Evason Resort Makes 68 Redundant
Phuket Joins the US Navy: Take Our Photo Tour
Photo Album There did not seem to be a lot of singing when we joined the US Navy for a tour of the USS New Orleans. But the sailors did seem a peaceful bunch, ideal for Phuket.
Phuket Joins the US Navy: Take Our Photo Tour
A number of key questions remained unanswered, so having economic independence and control over revenue was not considered the best option.
The group listened to arguments for and against with manager of the special economic zone projects, Somchai Potiwongsajarn, from Bangkok.
He said he believed Phuket had the potential to create a special economic zone, with a good environment, and the opportunity to manage many projects on its own.
But doubts were expressed about Phuket's ability to take over and manage infrastructure and large projects, including the sports centre, without increasing corruption.
Fears were expressed that the gap between rich and poor would widen, and that it there were critical problems, there would be no national support.
Tribanyat Jariyaperpong, who was there as a representative of the people of Phuket, said Phuket wanted a larger return in funding from the national government, not economic independence.
Among those who assembled at Royal Phuket City Hotel on Tuesday were the Governor, Wichai Praisa-nob, all three Vice Governors, Tunyaratt Achaiyachai, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Tourism of the Senate, Eam Thavornvongwongse, Chairman of the Phuket Chamber of Commerce, Methee Tanmanatragul, President of the Thai Hotels Association, Southern Chapter, Democrat MP Thosaporn Teppabud and Phumikit Rattanamg, Vice President, Phuket Tourist Association.
Phuket Tuk-Tuk Boss: Aren't You Afraid of Me?
Photo Album One Phuket tuk tuk chief has his heart set on speedy forward movement, at the right price. Changes have been introduced in Karon to make the tuk tuk more user friendly.
Phuket Tuk-Tuk Boss: Aren't You Afraid of Me?
Phuket Holiday Crash Wreck Still on Show at Airport
Airport Update Phuket airport expansion plans continue but the wreckage of a plane destroyed in a crash landing almost two years ago still lies within sight of passengers.
Phuket Holiday Crash Wreck Still on Show at Airport
Lucky Escape as Phuket Blaze Makes 85 Homeless
Fire Photo Album Phuket's capacity to provide aid to those in need was being shown after a fire destroyed the homes of 17 sea gypsies. Nobody was hurt. One boy had a narrow escape.
Lucky Escape as Phuket Blaze Makes 85 Homeless
Phuket Half-Yearly Report: All Pain and No Action
Phuket Economic Report With the worldwide downturn, Phuket and Thailand cannot expect tsunami generosity. Revenue will only come with action on the island's enduring defects.
Phuket Half-Yearly Report: All Pain and No Action
Phuket Set for Secure Summit, says Defence Chief
Latest Tourism not terrorism is Phuket's stock in trade. Thailand's Defence Minister pays a visit and says that everything appears to be going fine for the big July summit.
Phuket Set for Secure Summit, says Defence Chief
Update: Evason Resort Makes 68 Redundant
Updated Report Phuketwan has been told by union sources that the Evason management has handed instant termination notices to a large number of staff at the Rawai resort.
Update: Evason Resort Makes 68 Redundant
Phuket Joins the US Navy: Take Our Photo Tour
Photo Album There did not seem to be a lot of singing when we joined the US Navy for a tour of the USS New Orleans. But the sailors did seem a peaceful bunch, ideal for Phuket.
Phuket Joins the US Navy: Take Our Photo Tour
