PHUKET: One senior honorary consul on Phuket believes that the quarterly meetings between local envoys and Phuket's administrators are ''the wind beneath Phuket's wings.''

The latest in the series of summits comes this afternoon at Provincial Hall in Phuket City. Anurak Tansiriroj, Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic, will be there, offering his opinions.

Khun Anurak, a founder of Phuket International Hospital and a confirmed internationalist, believes the gatherings themselves signify important progress on Phuket.

''I was involved in starting the honorary consuls' meetings,'' he said in his envoy's office at the hospital in Phuket City.

''We want to see standards improved so that European tourists and tourists from all over the world are happy to visit.

''The most important thing is that we never stop pushing. We are the winds beneath Phuket's wings. We try to push Phuket higher.''

Pushing with him are 18 or 20 other envoys, about half of them Thais. The mix is a good one, says Khun Anurak.

Some of the honorary consuls want speedy change and instant action. Others take a more measured approach.

''As a Phuket person, I can see both sides,'' he says. ''Some people would like everything to change immediately. But sometimes, the roots run deep.

''Gradual change is best. It's really up to the Phuket people to determine the pace of change.''

Having the views of expats and their representatives aired in a public forum has been instrumental in generating greater interest in Phuket's problems, he says, especially in Bangkok.

''When we make a big noise, representing many countries, we can have an effect,'' he said. ''Since the meetings began last year, the Foreign Ministry has been heavily involved.''

Some honorary consuls feel the messages sent via Phuket's administration to Bangkok are frequently muted, with criticism diplomatically removed, but Khun Anurak believes the complaining is accumulating, and that it will eventually generate changes.

''People on Phuket sometimes sit back and are not concerned about events around them,'' he said. ''Those of us who have spend time overseas are quicker to see the need for awareness and action.

''We have only been a democracy for about 60 years. In Singapore, because it was a small country, Lee Kwan Yew could bring change in one generation.

''Even simple things that seem obvious take a while for people to learn and to be absorbed into a culture.''

He said that having the honorary consuls meeting is a step forward.

''If I was in charge on Phuket, the first thing I would do is to create a better transport system,'' Khun Anurak added.

''If people could move easier at low cost and in safety, Phuket would be improved. Today people have to buy a motorcycle and risk their lives.

''But they have to do this because there is no alternative. If the government put money into transport, it would save such a lot in health costs.

''We have to try to convince those in charge that they need to persuade jet-ski operators, taxi operators and others that their business will be better if their prices are fair.

''Small steps. If we can see small changes, everybody will see that it makes for a better life, and they will add their support.''

Education and the environment, says Khun Anurak, are the other big issues that need more attention. Yet he is eternally optimistic.

''If a governor has vision, he should take chances,'' Khun Anurak said. ''Phuket needs people who are prepared to take a chance. Take a chance!

''That would be my advice. We do not want people to think that we are forcing decision on them. But we are the wind beneath Phuket's wings.''

Look for Phuketwan's full coverage of this afternoon's honorary consuls gathering.