To assert his message, Governor Norraphat Plodthong called together yesterday (May 25) the heads of the key government offices and private companies involved in the Patong project, where cables were drawn down at the beach end of Sawasdirak Rd, near Loma Park.
Present at the meeting were Phuket Vice governor Siwaporn Chuasawad along with officers from the Patong branch of the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) as well as key Phuket representatives for telecommuncations companies including, TOT, PA, Cable 3BB, Symphony, DTAC, AIS and True.
During the meeting it was explained to Governor Norraphat that the mess was due to workers tidying up the cables along that section of Sawasdirak Rd, in accordance with the central government’s order for local authorities to carry out “cable clean-up campaigns”. (See story here.)
Regardless, Gov Norraphat said, “Officials must have signs to tell tourists and (other) people what they are doing.”
Gov Norraphat stressed that it was important for any officials carrying out public works to post notices.
“They have to put up sign clearly informing people and tourists (sic) what they are doing in the area to let them know. This prevents any misunderstandings and helps create a good image for Phuket,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Suwat Prompriang from the Patong PEA office explained that other areas would likely to undergo similar cable clean-up campaigns in the near future.
However, he added that the greater project to install power and communications cables underground throughout Patong had still yet to begin.
“Right now, It is still in the bidding process. At this stage I cannot confirm a start date, as the the PEA in Bangkok will decide this, then it will begin. Hopefully that will be soon,” he added.