Speaking at the JW Marriott in Mai Khao, Governor Maitree Intusut – after an introductory remark that Phuket appeared to be attractive not only to tourists but also to diplomats – said that discussions covered, among other matters, boat safety and public transport – which he said is “gradually improving”.
He also announced that any tourist with a problem was welcome to contact his office directly, an alternative to dealing with police who have been accused of heavy-handedness – especially in the recent case of a French family who realised that they had emerged from the airport with no entry stamp, went back to airport Immigration and were arrested.
The governor explained that authorities were taking a strict line with passengers of the airline on which the French family arrived because narcotics had been found many times in passengers’ possession.
Although the family had been fined, he added, he had personally “absorbed” their fines.
EU Ambassador David Lipman said that there would be “several types of follow-up from the meeting”. One of the most public will be the revival of regular meetings between the governor and local honorary consuls after an eight-month hiatus. The next will be held on June 28.
Spanish Ambassador Antonio Casado Rigalt recommended that Phuket look at adopting a system similar to that of many countries in Europe, where blue flags are awarded to beaches where the water quality and the quality of beachside facilities meets certain minimum standards.
The Netherlands Ambassador Henk Cor van der Kwast said, “If there are particular points we can inform [the Governor] about them. The proof of the pudding will then be in the eating.
“But I must say the impression was good. It started off with ‘How wonderful Phuket is’ but then it changed to ‘But there are some problems’, and then ‘How can we make progress?’
Phuket in recent days has been visited not only by the EU ambassadors but also by their counterparts from the US and China, the country’s Minister of Tourism & Sports, a deputy minister of Interior and the Senate Tourism Committee – all discussing tourist safety or degradation of the island’s tourist facilities.
Did the ambassador think this indicated that Phuket’s woes are now a national issue and that local authorities need help from Bangkok?
“It’s obvious that something needs to be done at the Bangkok level. That can be pressure, or help. The problem is too big.”
British Ambassador Mark Kent said later, “I’m not going to be making judgements about whether things in Phuket are out of control, but we had a good meeting with the governor today talking about tourism and some of the general issues affecting residents.
“Phuket is a very important tourist destination for EU nations – the UK, Germany and Sweden, to name just three – an we want to see out nationals in a situation where they want to come back, where they feel safe and where they feel they are receiving just treatment.
“I think the governor understands what we say … and there are issues that we will be tackling together, in particular taxis and tuk-tuks, getting a workable transportation system for a fair price.
“So we hope the local and national authorities will take this forward. They realise that if tourists feel that they are not having a good experience they will not return.
“The thing about European tourists is that, per capita they spend a lot of money in the local economy. And once they go – we were talking with tour operators about this today – it’s hard to get them back.
“So I think for the strategic development of Phuket it’s important that a small minority of people, that certain issues, don’t spoil the development potential of the whole region. That would be killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.”
The high-profile meeting, Amb Kent added, is part of an ongoing dialogue. “I think the governor recognises the concerns, the interests, the objectives of the international community in terms of the foreign tourists here.”
Gov Maitree said after the meeting, "Tour operators and guides must inform tourists about the law and regulations so that they can follow them.
Asked whether the number of high-level visits from Bangkok suggested that Bangkok is worried that the problems are too big for Phuket officials to hadle, he said, "Phuket's authorities can still handle the island's problems.
"Phuket is important in terms of national strategy and for tourism, so many senior government figures come down [from Bangkok] to visit us and follow up on issues.
"At the moment we can still handle the problems. But I will adjust our strategy, our way of thinking and our manpower to handle the situation [better]."
He added that he has already appointed the chief of the Phuket Passport Office, Siriporn Tantipanyathep, as the liaison between diplomats and himself.
In cases where foreigners feel they have been unfairly treated by officials, he said, they should contact their embassy or local honorary consul, who should then call Ms Siriporn, who will inform Gov Maitree immediately so that the situation can be cleared up promptly.