The initiatives were discussed during a meeting chaired by Phuket Vice Governor Suwit Phansengiam at Provincial Hall late last week.
The meeting was held to review progress under the Phuket Provincial Child and Youth Development Action Plan and was attended by Phuket Provincial Social Development and Human Security Officer Sukanya Pho-kaew, members of the Phuket Provincial Child Protection Committee, government agency representatives and relevant experts.
Officials received updates on the operation of private childcare centres and children’s shelters, as well as progress on a project aimed at raising the standards of early childhood development centres throughout the province.
Officials are currently piloting the programme at the Ban Bang Khonthi Early Childhood Development Centre in Rawai. The project is expected to be expanded to centres in Kathu and Thalang districts if successful.
The meeting also considered draft road safety measures designed to reduce risks to children and young people. Proposed measures include promoting 100% helmet use among young riders and reinforcing regulations prohibiting people from driving without a valid licence.
Participants also discussed increasing parental involvement in childcare and child development programmes.
Another key issue on the agenda was a draft set of welfare protection measures for children attending festivals, concerts and other large public events.
The proposed regulations would require organisers to implement strict age screening procedures, prohibit children under the age of 18 from remaining at events after 10pm and provide designated safe areas for young attendees.
Event organisers would also be required to assign staff to supervise child welfare issues and coordinate with relevant agencies to prevent activities that could negatively affect the wellbeing of children and youth.
Provincial officials said the measures form part of Phuket’s broader efforts to improve child protection standards and create safer environments for children and young people both in their communities and at public events across the island.