PHUKET: US Ambassador Kristie Kenney will visit Phuket tomorrow for talks with senior police, Immigration officials and the Governor of Phuket, the US Embassy revealed today.
The ambassador's visit is one of the outreach visits she regularly makes to destinations in Thailand outside Bangkok, an embassy spokesman said.
It's highly likely that the safety and security of US military personnel visiting Phuket will be discussed when the Ambassador makes her first call of the day to Phuket Police Headquarters in Phuket City.
There, she has a meeting scheduled with Phuket Police Commander Chote Chawanwiwat. Representatives from the Department of Special Investigations and Immigration will also be at the meeting, the US Embassy spokesperson said.
From Phuket Police HQ, Ambassador Kenney will move to Phuket Provincial Hall and a meeting with Phuket Governor Maitree Intrusud.
The issue of the safety and security of US military personnel is almost certain to be raised with the governor as well following a shuttle bus strike last month.
The unexpected stopwork by bus drivers stranded American Navy personnel from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz and the warship USS Princeton in the island holiday hub of Patong and at Phuket's deep sea port.
Americans who usually have the option of travel by bus or in Phuket's tuk-tuks and taxis were forced to take tuk-tuks and taxis.
Because fares are extortionate on Phuket and there is no regulation or control, drivers ripped off the Americans by charging 6000 baht or more for the 20-kilometre trip between Patong on the west coast and the deep sea port on Phuket's east coast.
Although American crews are understood to rank Phuket highly as a destination, the lack of action to resolve the situation quickly is likely to rankle.
Previously, a blockade by Phuket taxi drivers of the deep sea port in 2011 with US ships at anchor brought a promise from the Phuket administration that problems would not occur again.
It's believed that the dispute between the local bus company providing minivans and Glenn Marine Services, which caters for US personnel around South-East Asia, has been settled.
Ambassador Kenney also plans a visit to Vachira Phuket Hospital, Satri Phuket School and community projects.
European Ambassadors and their representatives meet on Phuket on Friday and Saturday.
The ambassador's visit is one of the outreach visits she regularly makes to destinations in Thailand outside Bangkok, an embassy spokesman said.
It's highly likely that the safety and security of US military personnel visiting Phuket will be discussed when the Ambassador makes her first call of the day to Phuket Police Headquarters in Phuket City.
There, she has a meeting scheduled with Phuket Police Commander Chote Chawanwiwat. Representatives from the Department of Special Investigations and Immigration will also be at the meeting, the US Embassy spokesperson said.
From Phuket Police HQ, Ambassador Kenney will move to Phuket Provincial Hall and a meeting with Phuket Governor Maitree Intrusud.
The issue of the safety and security of US military personnel is almost certain to be raised with the governor as well following a shuttle bus strike last month.
The unexpected stopwork by bus drivers stranded American Navy personnel from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz and the warship USS Princeton in the island holiday hub of Patong and at Phuket's deep sea port.
Americans who usually have the option of travel by bus or in Phuket's tuk-tuks and taxis were forced to take tuk-tuks and taxis.
Because fares are extortionate on Phuket and there is no regulation or control, drivers ripped off the Americans by charging 6000 baht or more for the 20-kilometre trip between Patong on the west coast and the deep sea port on Phuket's east coast.
Although American crews are understood to rank Phuket highly as a destination, the lack of action to resolve the situation quickly is likely to rankle.
Previously, a blockade by Phuket taxi drivers of the deep sea port in 2011 with US ships at anchor brought a promise from the Phuket administration that problems would not occur again.
It's believed that the dispute between the local bus company providing minivans and Glenn Marine Services, which caters for US personnel around South-East Asia, has been settled.
Ambassador Kenney also plans a visit to Vachira Phuket Hospital, Satri Phuket School and community projects.
European Ambassadors and their representatives meet on Phuket on Friday and Saturday.
What is email/how do we contact Kristie Kenney?
Posted by Anonymous on June 11, 2013 12:30
Editor Comment:
There's a US embassy site and she has a strong presence on Facebook too.