Tell Thailand's Generals About Phuket Problems, Tourists and Residents Are Told
By Chutima Sidasathian Saturday, July 26, 2014
PHUKET: Tourists and residents on Phuket will soon be able to complain in a straightforward way to the military about problems on the holiday island.
Taxis, tuk-tuks, beach vendors, rip-offs, jet-ski scams, high prices, Patong's closing hours, corruption, questionable police action . . . anything goes.
Branch offices of the island's complaints department are likely to be opened soon in Phuket's large shopping malls, Phuket Governor Maitree Intrusud and officals from the Damrungtam office announced yesterday.
''More speed, more effective, greater insight,'' the governor said. ''That's what we hope to deliver in connecting the people of Phuket more closely with the coup commanders.''
The Damrungtam office, open for 10 years and operating from the Phuket Provincial Hall administrative building in Phuket City, fields all kinds of complaints and, once signed off by the governor, can instigate investigations into corruption, fraud and malpractice of all kinds.
Now the concept, which has not developed as fast in some other provinces, is being used to effectively connect the military rulers of Thailand, who took control on May 22, with Thailand's people and their problems.
Governor Maitree will be asking the managers at Central Festival Phuket in Phuket City and Jungceylon shopping mall in Patong for space for Damrungtam counters.
The central office receives about 45 cases each month and the number of people who want help is expected to increase dramatically as people come to know more about the Damrungtam and its new connection direct to the Army, Navy and Air Force.
The responses by officials are being streamlined and improved as well. The small full-time Damrungtam team is to be enlarged with the cooperation of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation council members.
The council members of Phuket's most important elected body know the island well and their aim will be to structure a social feedback network across Phuket to respond quickly in the same way as the Patong Safety Zone seeks community help to cope with crime.
Governor Maitree says there will also be six specialist Damrungtam teams, incorporating the skillset of the multitude of official bodies who oversee safety and regulations on Phuket.
Response teams will be on standby for:
.. disasters or near-disasters triggered by such problems as landslides or flooding;
.. drugs, crime, residents for instance may suspect an internet shop is being misused;
.. Forests, environment, able to deal with encroachment or unlawful occupation or forest theft;
.. human trafficking and migrant workers issues;
.. local regulations and services;
.. issues associated with property, condominiums and villas.
Declaration of Interest: Phuketwan journalists Chutima Sidasathian and Alan Morison have sparked a Damrungtam investigation aimed at determining whether the Vichit Police Station officers who launched charges against them conducted full and adequate inquiries before passing the case to the Phuket Prosecutor for action. Reuters news agency and Thai mainstream outlets that carried the same paragraph have not been charged. The unprecedented military v media action, over publication of 41 words from a Reuters Pulitzer-prize-winning report on the Rohingya boatpeople, is cited among the reasons why the US State Department downgraded Thailand in its Trafficking in Persons report earlier this year.
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Comments
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Ed do you know if this would include old issues, i have an issue from last year where the police took a payment of 20,000 baht regarding a vehicle accident, this is along with paying the so called victim, most know if a farang and Thai are involved, the farang is nearly 100% of the time in the wrong. And this case was actually mitigated by the nice tourist policeman who is now in jail for drug dealing!
Posted by
phuket madness
on
July 26, 2014 09:52
Editor Comment:
You probably have to accept that time and resources are short and only fresh issues of corruption are valid. But now is the time to take evidence to the authorities.
So when is this place operational? I want to push for an end to this visa mess, they need proper long stay visa for wealthy people who don't need to work or acquire there income from online, the current situation is sending all these people to Vietnam, Philippines or Cambodia it's simply to complex and so is a big put off.
Posted by
Andrew wattson
on
July 26, 2014 11:55
Hello,
I want to know why Patong has only one supermarket, no competition at Big C where prices continue to rise, which controls prices and freshness of produce?
Monopoly Big C, why?
Why Jung Ceylon shopping complex opens only at 10 o'clock?
Why McDonalds Patong is it the most expensive of any laThailande?
Posted by
phil
on
July 26, 2014 12:38
@phil
no competition at Big C where prices continue to rise, which controls prices and freshness of produce
===
OMG...
Prices continue to rise both in other BigC, TescoLotus and Tops..
And I'm sure freshness of produce there is better than on average at street stalls nearby
Posted by
Sue
on
July 26, 2014 14:45
@Andrew Watson
acquire there income from online
===
As a side note I afraid it is a subject of Thai income if someone stays in the Kingdom most part of the year, and this income is "brought to Thailand".
As well, if if us not income from capital or similar, but employment/self-employed income, then it is most likely subject to the same conditions of obtaining working permit.
Posted by
Sue
on
July 26, 2014 15:04
I was going to say something about the hypocrisy of arresting journalists for covering news [under the 'shoot the messenger' law] and then inviting people to 'tell the generals about Phuket's problems'...but you got there first with your declaration of Interest piece. So I'm going to instead offer a response to Phil on why Macdonald's Patong is so bloody expensive. Macdonald's pricing policy is based on what the market will bear. In Norway, a Big Mac is around 10 dollars. Most punters in the Patong Macdonald's are on holidays, cashed up and gagging for something that isn't rice. You could probably put 500 baht on a Big Mac there and still see a line at the counter. I suggest you start making your own burgers at home, with stuff from Big C.
Posted by
Rockderk
on
July 26, 2014 15:59
One Navigator could point out many Governmental irregulars. Take a ride along the island and use the navigator as a fact finder. See how many developments are build over the 80 meters. All big projects should be checked. The developers bribed local officials to obtain building licenses & permits. Many developments also not in order with density and / or stepness (35%) or zoning regulations. Hugh bribes are made with this. An article/comment/editorial mentioned this weel; Look back 40 years and correct it. That would be a good start. But let all the financial gains (bribes) also be "collected" back. Don't underestimated the damage the illegal developments made to & for legal acquired property owners.
Posted by
phuketexpat
on
July 26, 2014 16:09
The Umbrella Association could diversify, group together and operate a supermarket to provide competition. Maybe produce could be displayed on rows of sun lounges!
Posted by
Mawowar
on
July 26, 2014 16:33
Do you think they want to hear how Bangkok Bank rips farangs off for 5000TB for insurance? Even when you say you do not want or need it, they say you must have to open account. Anyone else have this happen?
Posted by
Anonymous
on
July 26, 2014 16:45
Why no competition for BigC and Mc prices? I want a visa and land and 2 wives (to work on my land). Why is it raining today? And yesterday and the day before? What a rip-off. Some people worked all year to sit in the rain. Luckily the beaches look beautiful
Pity the person(s) staffing those counters already.
Posted by
sammy
on
July 26, 2014 20:48
You will not have any turist left since we all will go to Sri Lanka. Stop all your scam and maybe will come back in 10 or 12 years
Posted by
Anonymous
on
July 26, 2014 21:30
One thing I can never get my head around in this day & age. Why do Thai banks charge for inter province money transfers? In this electronic age, it costs nothing for the customer to push buttons & move their money from SCB in Phuket to SCB in Korat. Wake up banks! This is a rip off not acceptable in the 21st century.
Posted by
Logic
on
July 26, 2014 22:09
Anonymous
Sri Lanka? You are kidding us now right? I know Sri Lanka very well. It had it's charms but it's also a completely underdeveloped and yes, corrupt place. Plenty of scams going on, ever heard about tourists being taken to a gemstones place there?
Posted by
christian
on
July 27, 2014 06:52
@Logic:
If you're concerned about 10 or 20 baht for own account transfers, try UOB Bank. They don't charge.
Posted by
Pete
on
July 27, 2014 07:32
Logic, there is no logic, in the way the banks operate, here's another ridiculous instance, if you open your account in Phuket, then move and reside in, let's say, Chiang Mai and ask the Chiang Mai bank to transfer your account locally, or to change your account details, they will/can not do it, you must go back to Phuket. Easier to withdraw all moneys and open a new account.
Posted by
Laurie Howells
on
July 27, 2014 07:44
@Laurie Howells :
If you open an account in Chiang Mai and request internet banking (which can be in English) then there should be no problem in making the transfer from Phuket yourself.
Posted by
Pete
on
July 27, 2014 09:42
The army are talking about setting up an anti corruption hotline, and the comments are why does Big C have no competition ?? Why does McDonalds charge so much ?? Really ??
With all the real problems of the island, with the issues of land rights, illegal workers and people smuggling, with police corruption, with political links to businesses that have been able to break the law with impunity.. And the topics you want to address are the price of a burger ??
Real big picture thinking !!
Posted by
LivinLOS
on
July 27, 2014 11:39
Editor Comment:
Phuket is world Class for just one thing, LivinLOS - self-interest.
Pete, I am fully aware of internet banking, but it doesn't change the fact, you can not change account details or apply for any bank services/problems that requires a "personal" eg, applying for a replacement debit card or a loan. Pete, I am NOT speaking for falang, this is for all in Thailand.
Posted by
Laurie Howells
on
July 27, 2014 11:45
The Army has revealed the layers of corruption in Phuket go deeper than anyone imagined. This will take time to address, and put right from wrong. This is however the start of a new beginning, and long may in continue.
Posted by
reader
on
July 27, 2014 11:58
@Sue work permit only required if working for a company or business within the kingdom external income has nothing to do with a work permit as technically no work is being conducted within the kingdom as it is being conducted offshore..long stay visa please or I like many others take our external incomes to other country's that are more than happy to accept our hard cash which I know Thailand needs, never seen so many empty bars and restaurants in my whole time here.
Posted by
Andrew wattson
on
July 27, 2014 13:08
Why not open a free crime/graft hot line to report the crooked officials their families and the other crooks on the island like we had in Belfast . It lets people feel safe to report in safety rather than being seen going up to exposed counter in a shopping centre where some of these people could see them and use the intimidation tactics that has allowed them to carry out their crimes over the past couple of decades on those brave people who want to report crimes without fear for themselves or their families .
Posted by
Scunner
on
July 27, 2014 13:53
Editor Comment:
Oh, I'm sure the ''mafia'' will appoint people to watch the counters. I mean, really.
@Andrew wattson
I didn't mean your particular situation, as I don't know it.
But in general:
Work permits:Online consulting even for customers overseas etc., and everything what has been done like providing services while being in the Kingdom, is subject to obtaining work permit. There were number of clarifications and explanations by agencies, although sometimes they sound contradictory.
Surely, if operations related to services are rendered were performed by person while not being physically in the Kingdom, then no Thai work permit is needed.
Tax residency: if someone spends more than 180 days per year on a soil of the Kingdom, then he is tax resident of the Kingdom. Although the Kingdom, unlike most of other countries, does not access tax on worldwide income it does on overseas income that is "remitted to Thailand" in the year it was earned.
Some persons who are in such situation could have significant leeway in about what to present as an income "remitted to Thailand", but in general it should be taxed here.
DTAs surely can prevent taxation of some overseas income in the Kingdom at all, but there are not great number of them, and conditions vary, and will require a kind of paperwork.
Posted by
Sue
on
July 27, 2014 16:09
Patong business belonce to thailand or nepal or some other country??? I have business in patong phuket over the years but now i need to stop my business because of forines small shop oweners. They dont have a visa or work permit to do business. How they do this. Who take money from them. And i need to live thailand becouse of my country.?? Is thai. Who will respons obout this.
Posted by
nuth
on
July 31, 2014 17:42
@nuth
Answers to your questons:
1. They dont have a visa or work permit to do business. How they do this.
2. Who take money from them.
I think are obvious, you now tiem well..
This is a result of so long tolerance of corruption by Thai fellow citizens.
I am afraid, however could be wrong, if you own your shop in Patong , you make some payments too.Although you may not expected that that whole system of "payments" will development up to the stage when Patong looks to be part of Nepal.
Stop making your own compromises about corruption. Join with other Thai citizens about it. Elect better politicians,or be politically active yourself.
Posted by
Sue
on
July 31, 2014 23:57
I would like to know if there would be an online way of making complaints or suggestions in the near future? If there is a way now, could PW post the email or web address please? Thank you.
Posted by
Duncan B
on
August 7, 2014 12:04
Editor Comment:
The governor is the island's NCPO representative but online correspondence isn't yet the way most things are done. Best do a printout and take it to the Governor's Office or the post box outside the Governor's House in Phuket City.
Hello,
I am a regular visitor to Phuket and love the place , but this time on the 10th of July early morning at 0245 I was robbed by a gang of lady boys , I have lost gold chain worth more than 80000/- INR as well as a blackberry phone . FIR has been registered at local police station and there has been no update so far. Understand that they have caught the gang but there is no update on my stolen items. Please assist.
Posted by
Jayan
on
July 20, 2015 18:57
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Ed do you know if this would include old issues, i have an issue from last year where the police took a payment of 20,000 baht regarding a vehicle accident, this is along with paying the so called victim, most know if a farang and Thai are involved, the farang is nearly 100% of the time in the wrong. And this case was actually mitigated by the nice tourist policeman who is now in jail for drug dealing!
Posted by phuket madness on July 26, 2014 09:52
Editor Comment:
You probably have to accept that time and resources are short and only fresh issues of corruption are valid. But now is the time to take evidence to the authorities.