PHUKET: Nine ambassadors who went to talk to the Tourism Minister today were told that a complete assessment of Phuket and its problems was being made because the issue was of national importance.
The Ambassadors from the Netherlands, Australia, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Britain and the European Union went to visit Tourism and Sport Minister and Deputy PM Chompon Sinlapaacha.
The minister was absent but Permanent Secretary Suwat Sittilor told the ambassadors that rip-offs on Phuket were being carefully looked at.
He said that with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Cabinet preparing to meet on Phuket on March 19-20, every effort was being made to address Phuket's long-standing issues.
He said it was not just about tourism rip-offs but about law enforcement, education and information as well.
Jet-ski scams, illegal taxis, tuk-tuks, rented motorcycle rip-offs and other problems were all raised by the ambassadors at the meeting this afternoon.
There were also complaints about Immigration services not just on Phuket but in other destinations as well.
Khun Suwat said Cabinet was expected to be giving time to finding solutions for the Phuket issues because complaints had been coming ''for a long time, for many, many years.''
The Ambassadors from the Netherlands, Australia, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Britain and the European Union went to visit Tourism and Sport Minister and Deputy PM Chompon Sinlapaacha.
The minister was absent but Permanent Secretary Suwat Sittilor told the ambassadors that rip-offs on Phuket were being carefully looked at.
He said that with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Cabinet preparing to meet on Phuket on March 19-20, every effort was being made to address Phuket's long-standing issues.
He said it was not just about tourism rip-offs but about law enforcement, education and information as well.
Jet-ski scams, illegal taxis, tuk-tuks, rented motorcycle rip-offs and other problems were all raised by the ambassadors at the meeting this afternoon.
There were also complaints about Immigration services not just on Phuket but in other destinations as well.
Khun Suwat said Cabinet was expected to be giving time to finding solutions for the Phuket issues because complaints had been coming ''for a long time, for many, many years.''
I think this says it all how (un)seriously the matter is taken.
" The minister was absent "
Somehow I don't believe the Ambassadors just walked in without an appointment but obviously the minister had something better to do.
Seems that just when one hears good news, the hopes are given a reality check the very next moment.
Posted by Steve C. on March 2, 2012 22:04