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Sadly, on Phuket it's the heads that get buried in the sand

Phuket Economy to Suffer Unless Government Acts

Saturday, January 2, 2010
Phuketwan News Analysis/Opinion

FIRM and speedy Government action is probably the only way that some of Phuket's long-standing internal cancers can be successfully treated.

Phuket, still a beautiful island with many attributes, needs a clean bill of health to function to its full potential in a new era of transparency and trust.

Yet Phuket begins the second decade of the 21st century beneath the weight of the massive handicap of an outdated economy that rides on rip-offs and greed.

Asked by Phuketwan to name Phuket's biggest problem, a former director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand had a quick one-word response: ''Corruption.''

There was no need to say more. The disturbing incidents of thuggery, the reoccurring extortion, the neglect of the environment and the rule of the rip-off all stem from the c-word.

Now it's time to look at alternatives, to look at systems that function to international standards, to look at methods that give locals a fair income for honest work.

Thailand needs this to happen, tourism needs this to happen, Phuket needs this to happen. For too long, the island's evil underbelly has been ignored.

As Governor Wichai Praisa-ngob has pointed out, Phuket is an island peppered with problems. The unstoppable internet chatter now damaging the future prospects of the country's best island destination comes as a result of years of neglect.

The time is right for implementation of a ''Clean Up Phuket'' campaign that goes beyond the litter on the beaches to target the real mess.

Thailand's national government must quickly focus on setting this island straight, economically and socially, or run the risk of permanent, irrevocable and extremely costly damage to the tourist industry.

Having now apparently halted the scandals that tainted tourism at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, the Government must turn its attention to setting Phuket straight.

Continuing harsh economic times lie ahead. To allow the tuk-tuk and jet-ski philosophy to continue to flourish would be a huge mistake.

Easy targets, easy money, jobs for the boys . . . and a happy life for everyone, except the unfortunate victims.

That does not work in the 21st century, where tourists who fall victim once do not come back. They have more choice these days. They tell their friends. The word spreads.

In the best interests of Thailand, as an imperative for the island and all who rely on tourism, it's time to clean up Phuket.
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Comments

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Absolutely. I couldn't have put it better myself. As an expat living here, I have my own transport, so the tuk tuk rip offs don't affect me directly, but I never go to Kata or Patong. The main reason being....there is no where to park, because the tuk tuks have all the available parking spaces.

The retail businesses in Kata and Patong should realize that the tuk tuks are preventing me, and many other local residents like myself, from spending money in their shops and restaurants.

So it is not just the tourists who are suffering for the greed of the few, but the local businesses, Thai and expat alike, who suffer.

Posted by Anonymous on January 2, 2010 11:00

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I see these editorials time and time again written both by expats and Thais. Would it help to print these in English, Japanese, Chinese, Thai, German, and French and distribute at the airport in Phuket, and boldly post signs in areas where rip-off artists work? If the scammers are shamed out of con opportunities, maybe they'll get the message and clean up their acts. Maybe also campaign AOT who runs the airport to provide better notification and assistance to travelers? Or am I being naive?

Posted by Anonymous on January 2, 2010 11:50

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Great article. Very well written. Corruption is the heart of the problem in Phuket.Greed is driving everything. I am visiting other parts of Thailand and SE Asia to avoid the tuk tuks and scams.

Posted by Coyote on January 2, 2010 14:39

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Its all very well asking for answers I have asked on more than 1 ocasion what sentence was passed to the jet ski thug yet no answer has come as to what sentence he received.

We were hoping that the Thai criminal courts would come down heavily on him for the damage he perpetrated yet he is still working on Patong beach so it would appear no action has been taken against him and he is free to carry on.

Actions like this and the latest attack by the tuk tuk driver who, even though the Thai police know who he is, is still at large and probably back driving his tuk tuk.

If it was a farang who committed crimes like this he would have been paraded in front of the cameras the next day. .We just do not see the justice being served as it should be and until we see this, people will stay away. This year will be like last year.

Posted by billy dale on January 3, 2010 03:41

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maybe there should be performance based pay rates for those who are responsible for fixing the problems..??

Posted by bob on January 3, 2010 14:12


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