PHUKET: Compulsory travel insurance could solve some of the problems of travellers to Phuket and Thailand, Sweden's new ambassador, Klas Molin, said when he met with Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha today.
''This is just an idea,'' the ambassador said. ''The Thai government needs to decide what to do. It's currently just a proposal that several countries are thinking of adopting.''
Ambassador Molin believes that more often than not tourists' complaints or problems were made worse because they often felt like they had no recourse, or means to seek help.
''Having an insurance requirement that is made compulsory for travellers would help enormously, not only the actual tourists but the already-stretched Thai services as well. If you are hospitalised for example, that will be automatically covered as you have insurance,'' added the ambassador.
''Having these meetings is very good,'' Ambassador Molin said after talking with the governor at Provincial Hall in Phuket City. ''Because it sends a very positive signal that you {Governor Tri) care and that there is also an understanding that you will attempt to solve the particular problem or grievance.''
Specific concerns that the Swedish ambassador chose to raise were not entirely unfamiliar to most Phuket residents.
''My issues are with public transport and the importance of law enforcement, I would also like to make mention of the importance of the prompt return of travel documents and passports once a particular case has concluded.''
Mr Molin explained that as Phuket is the number one holiday destination for Swedish tourists, Sweden also shared in the responsibility of keeping it that way.
''Sweden and Thailand have good co-operation but of course we have problems that need to be faced together rather than shy away from them.''
An issue of extreme importance he believed concerned what he rather euphemistically referred to as the ''public transport'' problems.
''I have spoken to many Swedish residents who live in Phuket and they have many problems with public transport. I was so surprised to learn that it was not just holidaymakers who experience problems.
''It's hard to do local business,'' the ambassador continued, ''If they can't provide the service or deliver to where they need to deliver to.
''If they can't conduct their business they will have to move elsewhere. Phuket runs the risk of them moving elsewhere, where they can do business.''
The Swedish Ambassador, who has held the position for just over six months, told Phuketwan that he was ''convinced'' that the Thai government would soon remedy the problems and that patience and respect for the host country was key to understanding and working together for a positive future.
''I am very happy with the progress of these issues.
''Committees have been set up to look into the problems of public transport and jet-ski violations and I am sure we will see positive results very soon.''
''This is just an idea,'' the ambassador said. ''The Thai government needs to decide what to do. It's currently just a proposal that several countries are thinking of adopting.''
Ambassador Molin believes that more often than not tourists' complaints or problems were made worse because they often felt like they had no recourse, or means to seek help.
''Having an insurance requirement that is made compulsory for travellers would help enormously, not only the actual tourists but the already-stretched Thai services as well. If you are hospitalised for example, that will be automatically covered as you have insurance,'' added the ambassador.
''Having these meetings is very good,'' Ambassador Molin said after talking with the governor at Provincial Hall in Phuket City. ''Because it sends a very positive signal that you {Governor Tri) care and that there is also an understanding that you will attempt to solve the particular problem or grievance.''
Specific concerns that the Swedish ambassador chose to raise were not entirely unfamiliar to most Phuket residents.
''My issues are with public transport and the importance of law enforcement, I would also like to make mention of the importance of the prompt return of travel documents and passports once a particular case has concluded.''
Mr Molin explained that as Phuket is the number one holiday destination for Swedish tourists, Sweden also shared in the responsibility of keeping it that way.
''Sweden and Thailand have good co-operation but of course we have problems that need to be faced together rather than shy away from them.''
An issue of extreme importance he believed concerned what he rather euphemistically referred to as the ''public transport'' problems.
''I have spoken to many Swedish residents who live in Phuket and they have many problems with public transport. I was so surprised to learn that it was not just holidaymakers who experience problems.
''It's hard to do local business,'' the ambassador continued, ''If they can't provide the service or deliver to where they need to deliver to.
''If they can't conduct their business they will have to move elsewhere. Phuket runs the risk of them moving elsewhere, where they can do business.''
The Swedish Ambassador, who has held the position for just over six months, told Phuketwan that he was ''convinced'' that the Thai government would soon remedy the problems and that patience and respect for the host country was key to understanding and working together for a positive future.
''I am very happy with the progress of these issues.
''Committees have been set up to look into the problems of public transport and jet-ski violations and I am sure we will see positive results very soon.''
''Committees have been set up to look into the problems of public transport and jet-ski violations and I am sure we will see positive results very soon.''
Mmh, right, of course we will, just like we have for the past 7 years when exactly the same promises have been made. Sure things have changed but only for the worse.
BTW, "We'll set up a committee" in Phuket means "We'll do absolutely nothing"
Posted by Steve C on November 26, 2011 00:02