PHUKET: Tuk-tuks could be confiscated as part of a crackdown on weapons on Phuket, the Australian Ambassador, James Wise, said after a top-level meeting on Phuket today.
Ambassador Wise said that Phuket authorities had backed the idea of confiscating knives, guns and other weapons in the aftermath of the knife-murder of travel agent and mother of three Michelle Smith on Phuket last week.
He said after talks with Vice Governor Dr Sommai Preechasin that the murder of Mrs Smith ''put a spotlight on the security of Phuket.''
''Tuk-tuk drivers quite often have weapons,'' he said. ''They shouldn't have weapons. They don't need weapons to drive a tuk-tuk.
''One way to stop tuk-tuk drivers having weapons would be not just to take the weapons from the tuk-tuk drivers but to take the tuk-tuk away as well.
''I think the weapons would soon be taken from the streets.''
Mr Wise talked with Dr Sommai for about 40 minutes behind closed doors. He said later that local authorities shared the concerns of envoys about security on Phuket.
''I and some of my ambassador colleagues had a meeting a few months ago in Bangkok with senior officials about some of the problems of Phuket and we will be having another meeting with senior officials scheduled for July 11.
''We will be conveying to the central government the strong wish of authorities here for strong support from the central authorities.''
Mrs Smith's murder triggered intervention by Thailand's most senior policemen who said they had a mandate from Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to clear scams and the rip-off mafia from the island, beginning with the jet-skis.
Phuketwan readers have also pointed out that knives, electric prods and other weapons are freely on sale in the steeets and shopping malls of Phuket.
Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradhacha, who would normally have met Mr Wise, was in Bangkok today. It is believed he was being briefed on plans for the police action.
Mr Wise said the murder of Mrs Smith had ''massive'' coverage in Australia but the overwhelming majority of Australians who came to visit Phuket had a trouble-free time.
Ambassador Wise said that Phuket authorities had backed the idea of confiscating knives, guns and other weapons in the aftermath of the knife-murder of travel agent and mother of three Michelle Smith on Phuket last week.
He said after talks with Vice Governor Dr Sommai Preechasin that the murder of Mrs Smith ''put a spotlight on the security of Phuket.''
''Tuk-tuk drivers quite often have weapons,'' he said. ''They shouldn't have weapons. They don't need weapons to drive a tuk-tuk.
''One way to stop tuk-tuk drivers having weapons would be not just to take the weapons from the tuk-tuk drivers but to take the tuk-tuk away as well.
''I think the weapons would soon be taken from the streets.''
Mr Wise talked with Dr Sommai for about 40 minutes behind closed doors. He said later that local authorities shared the concerns of envoys about security on Phuket.
''I and some of my ambassador colleagues had a meeting a few months ago in Bangkok with senior officials about some of the problems of Phuket and we will be having another meeting with senior officials scheduled for July 11.
''We will be conveying to the central government the strong wish of authorities here for strong support from the central authorities.''
Mrs Smith's murder triggered intervention by Thailand's most senior policemen who said they had a mandate from Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to clear scams and the rip-off mafia from the island, beginning with the jet-skis.
Phuketwan readers have also pointed out that knives, electric prods and other weapons are freely on sale in the steeets and shopping malls of Phuket.
Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradhacha, who would normally have met Mr Wise, was in Bangkok today. It is believed he was being briefed on plans for the police action.
Mr Wise said the murder of Mrs Smith had ''massive'' coverage in Australia but the overwhelming majority of Australians who came to visit Phuket had a trouble-free time.
Good one... "They don't need weapons to drive a tuk-tuk."
:)
Posted by Jake on June 29, 2012 16:36