SENIOR representatives from Phuket and four other Andaman provinces met today to coordinate policies for future development.

It's a breakthrough gathering for the region, the first time that governors or vice governors from Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi, Ranong and Trang have sat down to talk about Thailand's key Andaman tourist region and its potential.

With the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Department of the Interior overseeing the meeting at Provincial Hall in Phuket City, economics and sustainability were high on the agenda.

Phuket's strengths were listed as:

.. good natural resources, plenty for tourists to see and do;
..higher education among Phuket people;
..good location;
..economically developing in both tourism and agriculture;
..good infrastructure compared to other provinces;
..strong cultural identity.

The Phuket weaknesses:

..environment and natural resouces endangered;
..safety of tourists, rip-offs occur;
..local people not wishing to become involved in issues;
..no body to control standards of service;
..large labor force imported from Burma;
..situated in an earthquake zone;
..water pollution and garbage disposal both problems.

Eleven national government-sanctioned projects with a total budget of 328 million baht have been approved to help the region's development.

Vice Governor Niwit Aroonrat and Patong Mayor Pian Keesin were among Phuket representatives at today's meeting.