PHUKET: Governor Maitree Intrusud has called an urgent review of Phuket's bungy jump facilities after two men plunged to their deaths at the weekend as a new jump was being erected.

The constructors had permission to build a 12-metre tower but had erected a 52-metre tower using engineers who had no previous experience, Governor Maitree said yesterday.

''These jumps are mostly used by visiting tourists and we cannot have the lives of tourists put at risk in this manner,'' the governor said.

It is believed at least two men are to be charged over the deaths of Pitakchai Wongsricha, 30, and Tossaporn Suksri, 27. The two plunged to the ground with the platform at the site near Phuket Zoo, south of Phuket City.

A third man, Anupong Kantawong, 37, narrowly escaped by diving into the pond. He is recovering in a Phuket City hospital.

There is no reason to believe the other three bungy jumps on Phuket are not being operated safely but Governor Maitree wants them all checked.

He has called a meeting of all the managers to assess the situation and reinforce the need for safety.

While the owner of the fourth bungy jump said he had a permit, it was quickly established that the permit was for a 12-metre tower, not one that rose to 52 metres.

It was being erected by a team with no previous experience on bungy jumps.

The safety of tourists on Phuket is a priority but many still come to grief on motorcycles or at the beaches, where drownings totalled a new record last year.

Back in June last year, European Union ambassadors met with the governor on Phuket and later issued a list of seven important issues they considered needed to be pursued.

Ten months on, it's worth revisiting the list. Phuketwan and the Minister for Tourism and Sport, Somsak Pureesrisak, also have bucket lists.



Corruption Start a well-promoted public campaign to end corruption on the island and prosecute any official caught taking bribes. Investigate all allegations about Immigration officers and police.

Sustainability Begin an investigation into what's required to keep Phuket a natural and appealing destination and set limits on development and tourist numbers based on the results of that investigation.

Transport Require all tuk-tuk and taxi drivers to register again and to meet international standards of service before being given new licences. Reduce their numbers by 10 percent a year for three years, offering alternative training. Introduce a call centre and abolish double-payment for journeys passengers don't make.

Crime Provide an extra 500 police for Phuket based on its actual population. Take up the Australian ambassador's suggestion of obliterating all illegal weapons and make the island a no-guns, no-knives zone.



.. An efficient and fairly priced public transport system in Phuket which is available to foreign tourists and residents alike.

.. An end to intimidatory and violent behavior by an element of tuk-tuk and taxi drivers.

.. Strict enforcement of marine safety standards, including flags on beaches to indicate when it is safe to swim.

.. Strict enforcement of standards of behavior for public officials, including police and Immigration, to ensure that foreign visitors and residents feel protected, treated in a fair way and never at risk of extortion.

.. An end to scams involving hiring of equipment such as jet skis or motorbikes.

.. Strict enforcement of road safety regulations.

.. Promotion of environmental issues, including monitoring of water quality.




.. Increasing airport arrivals, poor infrastructure

.. Traffic

.. No controlling strategy, development occurring all over

.. Environmental degradation

.. Attacks on beaches and public land

.. Garbage mounting

.. Bad water

.. Tourists' and residents' safety and security

.. Rip-offs (timeshare touts etc.)

.. Tour guides

.. Authorities at odds with private sector

.. Taxis and jet-skis

.. Zero baht tours