Mr Nirat delivered the keynote presentation, titled ‘City Management towards Becoming a World-Class Tourist City: Lessons from Chiang Mai to Phuket’, to around 100 participants in the 85th Advanced Public Administration Training Program (APATP) at the The Metropole Hotel Phuket in Phuket Town on Wednesday (June 17).
The Cabinet approved an order by Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to remove Mr Nirat from his position as Governor of Phuket on Tuesday (June 16). He is to become Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior in Bangkok.
However, the current Assistant to the Governor later explained to The Phuket News that Mr Nirat will remain at his post until his transfer is ratified by announcement in the Royal Gazette.
Meanwhile, the study visit on Wednesday formed part of the Ministry of Interior’s Fiscal Year 2026 training programme for senior government officials undertaking a study tour of Southern Thailand.
Among those attending were newly appointed Phuket Vice Governor Romdon Hayi Awae, Damrong Rajanupab Institute Director Chakraphan Rattanasathien, members of the programme’s advisory faculty and representatives from government agencies across the province.
Drawing on his experience as governor of both Chiang Mai and Phuket, Mr Nirat compared the strengths and challenges of the two leading tourism provinces, saying that while both possess internationally recognised natural attractions, culture and cuisine, effective city management is what ultimately determines their success.
He said the development of a world-class tourist destination depends on four key elements: attractiveness, convenient transport, safety and reliability and sustainable growth.
As an example, Mr Nirat pointed to Chiang Mai’s recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic, attributing its resurgence to confidence-building measures, the restoration of international flights, overseas marketing campaigns and close cooperation between the public and private sectors.
Turning to Phuket, he acknowledged a range of ongoing challenges facing the province, including nominee business structures, illegal businesses, crime, encroachment on natural resources and corruption.
He said the ‘Phuket Model’ sought to address these issues through good governance, transparency, the use of open data and integrated cooperation among government agencies in order to strengthen confidence among residents, investors and tourists.
Mr Nirat also highlighted the growing importance of environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles in tourism development, saying future tourist destinations must be clean, safe, environmentally responsible and supported by transparent and accountable administration.
Following his presentation, the trainees attended an online briefing by the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) on the proposed Land Bridge project linking Chumphon and Ranong.
The presentation covered the project’s background, strategic significance, infrastructure plans, economic benefits, current progress and the challenges still facing its development.
During the afternoon, participants joined working-group discussions and presented assigned topics, with former Chumphon Governor Pinai Anantapong and other facilitators providing guidance and sharing their administrative experience.
The study programme continued on Thursday (June 18) with visits to Prince of Songkla University Phuket Campus and the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO).
At PSU Phuket, participants attended a lecture on data-driven decision making before visiting the PPAO to learn about the Phuket Health Sandbox Project 2026.
The initiative aims to establish Phuket as a model Smart Health City by integrating technologies including artificial intelligence, big data and telehealth into the province’s healthcare system.
Officials say the project seeks to shift healthcare from treatment towards prevention through the creation of an integrated digital health database connecting government agencies, private healthcare providers and local communities.
The long-term objective is to enable real-time data analysis, support personalised healthcare planning, reduce inequalities in access to medical services and improve the overall quality of life for Phuket residents.
The delegation yesterday (June 19) visited Phuket Old Town, where members learned about community-led tourism and heritage conservation through presentations by local tourism enterprises before concluding the study tour.
According to organisers, the field visit is intended to broaden participants’ understanding of public administration, encourage the exchange of experiences between model provinces and strengthen knowledge of urban development and tourism management that can be applied to government administration nationwide.
According to official reports of the study tour and Mr Nirat’s presentation, the former Phuket Governor gave no advice on the role and impact of endemic corruption among officials.