PHUKET: Tuk-tuk and taxi overcharging of tourists was the first topic discussed today when Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha brought together his advisory committee for the first time.
The new gathering, made up of some of Phuket's most high-regarded tourism and business leaders, has the target of overseeing improvements on Phuket in three areas.
All three vice-governors were at the meeting with the governor, along with the head of the Phuket Provincial Office, Prajiat Auksorntamkut, and about 14 impressively-creditialled invitees.
Governor Tri said the ''Phuket Governor's Advisors'' would meet once a month and divide into three committee to made suggestions for action.
He said the three committees would be: the tourism and expats committee; the economic committee; and the social committee.
Veteran Phuket hotelier Methee Tanmanatragul said that the Phuket tourism industry drove revenue of about 100 billion baht each year, so it was important to retain Phuket's competitiveness.
He said about three percent of the amount went on marketing, and there was not much point in spending that vast amount if the tourists who came as a result had an unhappy experiece on Phuket and decided that they would never come back again.
Khun Methee instanced one case where ''black'' illegal taxi drivers in Kamala had intimidated a hotel to forego using their own vehicle to make pickups of guests at Phuket International Airport because the vehicle did not carry the hotel's logo.
The advisors meeting continued through lunch, with committee members comparing notes on what Phuket needs are most pressing. Governor Tri said that the gatherings will take place once a month.
Usually, vice governors are busy with different projects on Phuket. To have them all present at today's meeting is an indication of its importance. Each of the vice governors is to head one of the committees.
The powerful Phuket-based gathering comes with two Bangkok-based investigations already underway into aspects of Phuket's tourism industry and more widespread corruption.
Tourism and Expats Committee
Methee Tanmanatragul, veteran Phuket hotelier; Somchai Silpanon, Kata and Karon Hotels Association; Pattanapong Akevanich, the committee chairman; Somboon Jirayoot, president of Phuket Tourist Association; Piyanoot Hongsyok, Anuphas & Sons Co. Ltd; Tatchapon Theppabutr, managing director of Sukkho Spa; Bhurit Maswongsa, PTA vice president.
Economics Commottee
Pongsak Kerdvongbubdit, of Vongbundit (rubber company); Dr Kongkiat Ketpetch, managing director of Software Park; Tanan Tanpaiboon, president of Phuket Real Estate Association; Pittaya Tantipiriyakij, managing director of L.H. Muang Mai Co. Ltd; Surin Bamrungpol managing director of Phuket Submarine; Sarayuth Mallam, vice president of the Phuket Tourism Association; Bhummikitti Ruktaengam, vice president of Phuket Tourism Association.
Social Committee
Sakul Na Nakorn; Narong Hongsyok; Supot Sanguankittipan, Phuket Community Foundation; Tribanyat Jariyalerpong, Thai Culture Ban Kanaan Community (Thalang).
The new gathering, made up of some of Phuket's most high-regarded tourism and business leaders, has the target of overseeing improvements on Phuket in three areas.
All three vice-governors were at the meeting with the governor, along with the head of the Phuket Provincial Office, Prajiat Auksorntamkut, and about 14 impressively-creditialled invitees.
Governor Tri said the ''Phuket Governor's Advisors'' would meet once a month and divide into three committee to made suggestions for action.
He said the three committees would be: the tourism and expats committee; the economic committee; and the social committee.
Veteran Phuket hotelier Methee Tanmanatragul said that the Phuket tourism industry drove revenue of about 100 billion baht each year, so it was important to retain Phuket's competitiveness.
He said about three percent of the amount went on marketing, and there was not much point in spending that vast amount if the tourists who came as a result had an unhappy experiece on Phuket and decided that they would never come back again.
Khun Methee instanced one case where ''black'' illegal taxi drivers in Kamala had intimidated a hotel to forego using their own vehicle to make pickups of guests at Phuket International Airport because the vehicle did not carry the hotel's logo.
The advisors meeting continued through lunch, with committee members comparing notes on what Phuket needs are most pressing. Governor Tri said that the gatherings will take place once a month.
Usually, vice governors are busy with different projects on Phuket. To have them all present at today's meeting is an indication of its importance. Each of the vice governors is to head one of the committees.
The powerful Phuket-based gathering comes with two Bangkok-based investigations already underway into aspects of Phuket's tourism industry and more widespread corruption.
Tourism and Expats Committee
Methee Tanmanatragul, veteran Phuket hotelier; Somchai Silpanon, Kata and Karon Hotels Association; Pattanapong Akevanich, the committee chairman; Somboon Jirayoot, president of Phuket Tourist Association; Piyanoot Hongsyok, Anuphas & Sons Co. Ltd; Tatchapon Theppabutr, managing director of Sukkho Spa; Bhurit Maswongsa, PTA vice president.
Economics Commottee
Pongsak Kerdvongbubdit, of Vongbundit (rubber company); Dr Kongkiat Ketpetch, managing director of Software Park; Tanan Tanpaiboon, president of Phuket Real Estate Association; Pittaya Tantipiriyakij, managing director of L.H. Muang Mai Co. Ltd; Surin Bamrungpol managing director of Phuket Submarine; Sarayuth Mallam, vice president of the Phuket Tourism Association; Bhummikitti Ruktaengam, vice president of Phuket Tourism Association.
Social Committee
Sakul Na Nakorn; Narong Hongsyok; Supot Sanguankittipan, Phuket Community Foundation; Tribanyat Jariyalerpong, Thai Culture Ban Kanaan Community (Thalang).
There we go again with another probe....
Will the outcome be the same as on previous probes?
I am willing to make a bet that the outcome will be the same as on all previous probes.
Posted by Mr. K on July 7, 2011 18:39