PHUKET: The British Embassy in Bangkok has backed the Department of Special Investigation's probe into organised crime connected to tourism on Phuket.

Investigators from the DSI today were ''out in the field'' and an update on their findings will be revealed next week, the man leading the innovative Phuket campaign, Major General Somboon Sarasit, said today.

A British embassy spokesperson said: ''We welcome steps being taken by the DSI to tackle problems faced by tourists in Phuket and hope that this is the start of a continued campaign to bring an end to scams in Thailand's most popular holiday destinations.''

Following a summit of European Union ambassadors in June, the British embassy released a statement on behalf of all the ambassadors.



It listed seven points. Soon after, following a meeting with the ambassadors, The Minister for Tourism and Sport, Somsak Pureesrisak, called in the DSI to help.

Two Crime Crisis Centres are now open on Phuket for tourists, residents and expats to supply information on ways to rid Phuket of scams, rip-offs, extortion and corruption.

The British embassy spokesperson said today: ''We will continue to work with EU colleagues to maintain a dialogue with the relevant national authorities such as the Ministry of Tourism, as well as ensuring through our travel advice that our citizens have accurate information and advice available to them.''

Phuket's Governor, Maitree Intrusud, intends to resume meetings with Phuket's honorary consuls next week after a gap of 11 months.

Phuket's honorary consuls, meeting with the island's administrators in a public forum, were a vital force behind the pressure for change.

However, the governor now proposes low-key meetings separately with Thai honorary consuls on Monday and expat honorary consuls on Tuesday.



.. 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.



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. Create a corruption-free Phuket model for other provinces.

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. Save the reefs and the beaches. Create a Phuket Beach Authority.

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.