PHUKET: Jet-ski operators are ''brand ambassadors'' for Phuket who need to dress and act accordingly, Phuket Governor Maitree Intrusud told 80 of them today in the first of a seminar series.
Making an animated appeal to the jet-ski groups, Governor Maitree urged them to take pride in their appearance, and to put their hair up in buns if it was too long.
The governor paid for blue shirts for them all and urged them to take pride in their roles, and to speak politely to their customers.
He even went a step further: ''Why not drop the price a bit, and see how that goes? You might be pleasantly surprised if customers come back.''
Governor Maitree spared none of his charm in urging the jet-ski operators to use their charm.
He promised them, before leaving the Patong Resort this evening, a long session in learning how to shake hands and wai with genuine warmth.
He told them that the planned ''365 Days of Andaman Safety'' campaign would work for them: ''If you can do it, you will get what you deserve.''
''Black'' illegal jet-skis were a no-no, he said. ''I want to look into the eyes of you all and see whether you have the capacity to behave well or not.''
He let them into his long-term plan: ''I intend to replace all the tuk-tuk drivers and taxi drivers with women. Women understand how to behave properly.
''Women understand how to treat other people well, and to be sweet. If you want to do this job well, you must be sweet boys, or we will replace you with women.''
That brought the best laugh of the day, and perhaps earned the governor some extra listeners.
Governor Maitree went on to explain how important the role of the jet-ski operators was in beach safety.
Another day long seminar is to be held tomorrow. ''If I have the budget, I will keep these seminars rolling all year long,'' the governor said.
Audience members today came from Patong, Karon, Kata, Kamala, Bang Tao and possibly another beach where jet-skis were once not permitted.
Making an animated appeal to the jet-ski groups, Governor Maitree urged them to take pride in their appearance, and to put their hair up in buns if it was too long.
The governor paid for blue shirts for them all and urged them to take pride in their roles, and to speak politely to their customers.
He even went a step further: ''Why not drop the price a bit, and see how that goes? You might be pleasantly surprised if customers come back.''
Governor Maitree spared none of his charm in urging the jet-ski operators to use their charm.
He promised them, before leaving the Patong Resort this evening, a long session in learning how to shake hands and wai with genuine warmth.
He told them that the planned ''365 Days of Andaman Safety'' campaign would work for them: ''If you can do it, you will get what you deserve.''
''Black'' illegal jet-skis were a no-no, he said. ''I want to look into the eyes of you all and see whether you have the capacity to behave well or not.''
He let them into his long-term plan: ''I intend to replace all the tuk-tuk drivers and taxi drivers with women. Women understand how to behave properly.
''Women understand how to treat other people well, and to be sweet. If you want to do this job well, you must be sweet boys, or we will replace you with women.''
That brought the best laugh of the day, and perhaps earned the governor some extra listeners.
Governor Maitree went on to explain how important the role of the jet-ski operators was in beach safety.
Another day long seminar is to be held tomorrow. ''If I have the budget, I will keep these seminars rolling all year long,'' the governor said.
Audience members today came from Patong, Karon, Kata, Kamala, Bang Tao and possibly another beach where jet-skis were once not permitted.
is this open to public viewing??
Posted by paul on August 29, 2013 14:36