PHUKET: The new Phuket Governor is giving the Damrungtam office - also known as the ombudsman - new instructions to act with speed and to send a mobile investigation team to deal with Facebook complaints.

The system was put to the test for the first time today when a team reacted to a complaint by Rassada residents, who said illegal digging was taking place in the hills.

The ombudsman's mobile investigators found a man on the hillside who said he was ''aiming to plant some coconut trees.''

But the excavation was more extensive than for planting coconut trees so the man faces a much more serious investigation.

Governor Jamleran Tipayapongtada said today that the ombudsman worked with great speed in Nakhon Pachom, where he had been working as vice governor.

''We will develop the same system for speedy responses to complaints,'' he said.

The mobile ombudsman's team, which is based at Phuket Provincial Hall, on the ground floor, can be activated quickly if the complaint requires speedy action.

People who have problems should lodge complaints via Facebook with the page at Phuket Governor.