The programme was held Wednesday through Friday (Aug 6-8) at the A2 Pool Resort Phuket in Ratsada under the theme, ‘The Role of the New Generation and the Direction of Phuket’s Development as a Special Local Administrative Region.’
Phuket Vice Governor Suwit Phansengiam presided over the opening ceremony, emphasising the need to involve talented young people in shaping the province’s future governance model.
Also present were key business figures Thipawan Rapuephon (President, Phuket Young Entrepreneurs Chamber of Commerce), Thanusak Phuengdet (President, Andaman Chamber of Commerce), Kongsak Khoopongsakorn (President, Phuket Chamber of Commerce), Montawee Hongyok (President, Phuket branch of the Federation of Thai Industries),and Rangsiman Kingkaew (President, Phuket branch of the Tourism Industry Council).
Over the three days, participants took part in workshops, policy forums and networking events. The programme aimed to strengthen understanding of local governance, inspire innovative thinking and foster collaborations that can balance economic, social and environmental goals, explained an official report of the workshops.
Vice Governor Suwit emphasised that developing Phuket’s human capital is as crucial as infrastructure investment. He expressed confidence that the participants will emerge as a collaborative and forward-thinking force, advancing the vision of Phuket as a “smart tourism city in a special administrative area” that embodies high quality of life and environmental stewardship.
The YPC programme this year comes as Phuket MP Somchart Techathavorncharoen leads a campaign to gather 10,000 signatures ‒ the minimum threshold to submit a draft law to Parliament.
The draft ‘Phuket Metropolis Act’ would allow Phuket to elect its own governor and enable local control over permits and infrastructure, aiming to break central government bottlenecks that have delayed development projects such as the light rail.
MP Somchart stressed that local governance increases accountability and empowers citizens ‒ “If there is any province that reflects the deformity... it’s Phuket,” he said.
Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat has voiced his support for granting Phuket special administrative status akin to Bangkok.
He highlighted the mismatch between tourist-driven demand and inadequate government funding ‒ Phuket brought in nearly B498 billion from 13.24 million tourists in 2024, yet its annual development budget was only B169 million, based on a registered population of 400,000, despite actual residents and visitors far exceeding that number.
Issues identified include water shortages, waste management, healthcare strain and long delays for infrastructure projects.
Governor Sophon proposed keeping up to 90% of tourism-related revenue locally to fast-track development and gave examples like local light rail.