STAY away from tuk-tuks and ladyboys, the Governor of Phuket, Wichai Praisa-ngob, told the Indian Ambassador and Indian Navy representatives yesterday. The governor was welcoming three visiting Indian Navy vessels.

About 1000 Indian sailors will be taking leave on Phuket until Wednesday, the latest in a steady stream of warship crews to enjoy the tourism delights of the island.

The Indian ships are the frigate INS Krishna, the training ship INS Tir and a patrol vessel, ICGS Varuna. They follow a long string of US ships, including the aircraft carriers USS Ronald Reagan and earlier this year, the USS Nimitz.


Indian Ambassador Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty said the relationship between Phuket and India was growing stronger, with 100,000 Indians visiting Thailand, and the majority of those heading for the island.

''More will come this year than last year,'' he said. ''The number of people who come to Phuket for weddings is also increasing.''

India as a market was worth 60 million baht to Phuket, he said. ''Phuket is popular because it is within reach of India, and more Indians have money to spend,'' the ambassador added.

Charter flights were making holidays on Phuket easier for more Indians, he said.

Governor Wichai said the Indian Navy and tourists were welcome. But they did need to be wary about tuk-tuks, ladyboys and excessive prices, he added.

''The people on Phuket should do their best to make visitors from India feel welcome,'' he said.

Training exercises under PASSEX with the Thai Navy are to follow the visit to Phuket.

At the gathering at Provincial Hall and later at the Third Naval Area Command at Cape Panwa were the Commander, Third Naval Area Command, Royal Thai Navy, Vice Admiral Choomnoom Ardwong, Indian Navy Commander in Chief, Southern Navy Command, Vice Admiral Krishnan Nairsushil, Commander of the Tir, Captain G. Prakash, Varuna's Commandant Captain Umesh Kumar and Commander Nirbay Bapna of the Krishna.