PHUKET: A wave of change unprecedented in recent times leaves Phuket with fresh leaders facing the challenges of directing the future of Thailand's international holiday island.
The new Phuket governor, Nisit Jansomwong, was welcomed enthusiastically at Phuket Provincial Hall in Phuket City today.
He joked that he had had ''a lot of experience'' in his one year in the role at Ratchaburi.
Taking charge in the next few days are a new Phuket Police Commander, a new Commander of the Royal Thai Navy 3 and a new Director of Phuket International Airport. It's the most complete transformation at the top on Phuket in decades.
All of them have key roles to play if the sweeping changes triggered by the military and Region 8 police are to be maintained and extended. At ever-optimistic Phuketwan we are prepared to say that the signs are promising.
Highly significant for Phuket is the promotion of Region 8 Commander Panya Mamen to Assistant Commissioner General of the Royal Thai Police in Bangkok. This means that the senior officer who initiated serious action to rid Phuket of its taxi and tuk-tuk ''mafia'' will still be in a position of power to maintain the crusade.
His ally, Major General Paween Pongsirin, who heads the task force now taming the taxis and keeping the Phuket beaches clear, has also been promoted. He is now Deputy Commissioner of Police Region 8 but expected to continue in his present Phuket mission.
With a Transport Minister promoting the virtues of balance between the environment and development on Phuket, the portents are all good.
The new Airports of Thailand Phuket airport chief, Monrudee Ketphan, will oversee the island's most important infrastructure through a critical expansion and the opening of a ''new'' airport, possibly with an eye refocused on quality, not quantity.
Police Commander Major General Patchara Boonyasit takes charge at Phuket Police HQ with Region 8 headquarters moving to Phuket, accompanied by several hundred additional officers and equipment.
The commanders of the 10 police stations on Phuket are increasingly being asked to take a more forceful approach to law enforcement, and that's not likely to change.
On the water, Royal Thai Navy 3 now proceeds with Rear Admiral Sayan Prasongsamrej looking after security at sea and overseeing the welfare of tourists on the water in emergencies.
Governor Nisit was not giving a lot away today at Phuket provincial Hall for the first time but he did say that he recognised that the actual population of the island was more like one million than the official number of 360,000.
Having a government in Bangkok that understands Phuket's real budgetary needs and that seems prepared to ignore the politics that has always hampered progress in the past puts the international island on the threshold of a new and exciting era.
The new Phuket governor, Nisit Jansomwong, was welcomed enthusiastically at Phuket Provincial Hall in Phuket City today.
He joked that he had had ''a lot of experience'' in his one year in the role at Ratchaburi.
Taking charge in the next few days are a new Phuket Police Commander, a new Commander of the Royal Thai Navy 3 and a new Director of Phuket International Airport. It's the most complete transformation at the top on Phuket in decades.
All of them have key roles to play if the sweeping changes triggered by the military and Region 8 police are to be maintained and extended. At ever-optimistic Phuketwan we are prepared to say that the signs are promising.
Highly significant for Phuket is the promotion of Region 8 Commander Panya Mamen to Assistant Commissioner General of the Royal Thai Police in Bangkok. This means that the senior officer who initiated serious action to rid Phuket of its taxi and tuk-tuk ''mafia'' will still be in a position of power to maintain the crusade.
His ally, Major General Paween Pongsirin, who heads the task force now taming the taxis and keeping the Phuket beaches clear, has also been promoted. He is now Deputy Commissioner of Police Region 8 but expected to continue in his present Phuket mission.
With a Transport Minister promoting the virtues of balance between the environment and development on Phuket, the portents are all good.
The new Airports of Thailand Phuket airport chief, Monrudee Ketphan, will oversee the island's most important infrastructure through a critical expansion and the opening of a ''new'' airport, possibly with an eye refocused on quality, not quantity.
Police Commander Major General Patchara Boonyasit takes charge at Phuket Police HQ with Region 8 headquarters moving to Phuket, accompanied by several hundred additional officers and equipment.
The commanders of the 10 police stations on Phuket are increasingly being asked to take a more forceful approach to law enforcement, and that's not likely to change.
On the water, Royal Thai Navy 3 now proceeds with Rear Admiral Sayan Prasongsamrej looking after security at sea and overseeing the welfare of tourists on the water in emergencies.
Governor Nisit was not giving a lot away today at Phuket provincial Hall for the first time but he did say that he recognised that the actual population of the island was more like one million than the official number of 360,000.
Having a government in Bangkok that understands Phuket's real budgetary needs and that seems prepared to ignore the politics that has always hampered progress in the past puts the international island on the threshold of a new and exciting era.
Any chance of letting a good Gov. hang out for more than1 year. A final posting before retirement doesn't lend itself to any major changes to the status quo.
Posted by GiantFan on October 1, 2014 18:27
Editor Comment:
He's not close to retirement age, GF.