JET-SKIS and motorbike taxis will come under much closer scrutiny to prevent tourists being victims of rip-offs and scams, the Governor of Phuket, Wichai Praisa-nob, said yesterday.
''Some authorities'' have also been taking commissions, and this had to stop, he added.
''I believe there have been many incidents, particularly involving Australians, who are Phuket's best customers. But they will head for Bali unless we stop this problem.''
Diplomats have been raising Phuket's scams at the same time as national leaders seek to clean up Thailand's image and attract back tourists.
Phuket's scams are now being recognised as causing as much damage to Thailand as the scandals at Suvarnabhumi airport involving alleged extortion, ''black'' taxis, illegal guides and thefts from baggage.
Airports of Thailand is now calling on state security agencies to draw up new measures to deal with problems at the airport.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajivas visited the airport on Saturday. Leading diplomats from several countries have told Khun Abhisit and Deputy PM Suthep Thurksuban that scams and ripoffs have to stop in Phuket, too.
Khun Wichai said yesterday: ''I came here thinking that what Phuket needed was infrastructure and a strategy for future development.
''Now I find that there are problems that really should not exist and be allowed to continue on an island that wants to encourage tourists to come here.
''There is no future in ripping off tourists, because they won't come back.''
If diplomats are now telling the national government and the governor that the problems must end, then the scams and the scandals have clearly reached a new plateau.
AoT president Serirat Prasutanond said the outside security agencies were expected to come up with their proposals for Suvarnabhumi and submit them to AoT executives on Thursday.
The governor also plans meetings later this week and next week, focussing on the future of jet-skis, which were at one stage going to be phased out on Phuket.
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''Some authorities'' have also been taking commissions, and this had to stop, he added.
''I believe there have been many incidents, particularly involving Australians, who are Phuket's best customers. But they will head for Bali unless we stop this problem.''
Diplomats have been raising Phuket's scams at the same time as national leaders seek to clean up Thailand's image and attract back tourists.
Phuket's scams are now being recognised as causing as much damage to Thailand as the scandals at Suvarnabhumi airport involving alleged extortion, ''black'' taxis, illegal guides and thefts from baggage.
Airports of Thailand is now calling on state security agencies to draw up new measures to deal with problems at the airport.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajivas visited the airport on Saturday. Leading diplomats from several countries have told Khun Abhisit and Deputy PM Suthep Thurksuban that scams and ripoffs have to stop in Phuket, too.
Khun Wichai said yesterday: ''I came here thinking that what Phuket needed was infrastructure and a strategy for future development.
''Now I find that there are problems that really should not exist and be allowed to continue on an island that wants to encourage tourists to come here.
''There is no future in ripping off tourists, because they won't come back.''
If diplomats are now telling the national government and the governor that the problems must end, then the scams and the scandals have clearly reached a new plateau.
AoT president Serirat Prasutanond said the outside security agencies were expected to come up with their proposals for Suvarnabhumi and submit them to AoT executives on Thursday.
The governor also plans meetings later this week and next week, focussing on the future of jet-skis, which were at one stage going to be phased out on Phuket.
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And yet not one mention of the "red menace" who are probably the worst cartel, scammers, thugs etc the island has.
Recognising the problem is the first step in solving it. Solution is as simple as the two words, "meter taxi" . . .
Posted by LivinLOS on August 18, 2009 10:30