“Phuket already has a vision to be a world-class [tourist] destination,” he told members of Phuket’s media.
“I have no any special policy [yet] because Phuket already has a strategy, and it is appropriate. I will just maintain it to make everything continue [along the same track],”
“But I would ask, ‘Does Phuket have the ability to support huge amounts of tourism?’ “All the situations reported in the news mean that Phuket’s efficiency, such as its management system, its security system and any other system, is not capable of supporting tourism in a world-class destination such as this,” he added.
The Phuket News asked him what his first priority would be. “First priority in Phuket is Phuket tourism, following by the security of the tourists, cleanliness and orderliness of natural resources and the hospitality of Phuket people to welcome international tourists,” Gov Nisit replied.
“I think, for me, the most important thing is how to increase efficiency for Phuket to support tourism. That includes expanding Phuket’s airport, preserving natural resources, security, cleanliness and orderliness, these all should get the best management,” he explained.
He said, however, that much of the initiative for the necessary work in tourism should be supplied by the private sector, with support – not necessarily leadership – from the government.
He wants to see more people taking pride in Phuket. “The most important things is how to make all the people living here proud to be Phuket people and thinking about how to preserve and protect our province.
“Anyone who is not proud to be a Phuket person is just someone taking advantage of the place and then leaving,” he said.
Gov Nisit’s wife Nutsaree told The Phuket News, “I’m here to be the president of Phuket Red Cross. I’m looking forward to helping people who are suffering,”
“Coming here is a pleasure for us,” she added, “We love the sand, the sea and everything in Phuket.”