US ambassador shares concerns about tourism in Phuket

[webfact]

US ambassador shares concerns about tourism in Phuket

By Kritsada Mueanhawong

 

 

The acting US ambassador has met with Phuket’s Vice Governor to discuss long-term tourism and environment issues whilst visiting the island.

 

Peter Haymond, the acting US Ambassador, met with Phuket’s Vice Governor Prakob Wongmaneerung at the Phuket Provincial Hall today.

 

The Phuket PR Office reports that Vice Governor Prakob says, “The ambassador is interested in Phuket as it is an international tourist city where many Americans visit. More and more tourists are visiting Phuket every year. So how is Phuket being managed in relation to the environment and safety aspects.”

 

Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/us-ambassador-shares-concerns-about-tourism-in-phuket

 

-- © Copyright The Thaiger 2018-12-12

[ravip]

Its amazing the concern shown by the acting US ambassador!

 

[mok199]

God I would love to attend that seafood buffet....

[DoctorG]

I was wondering why the US ambassador would be concerned about tourism in a foreign land so I went to the original story. Nowhere in that story does it mention concerns that the ambassador expressed. More "creative" reporting it seems.

[ChipButty]

So how is Phuket being managed in relation to the environment and safety aspects.”

 

Same at it ever was, Dont ask

[steve187]

no concerns, just a photo op

[quadperfect]

I have met about 2 amerivans innphuket in 12 years. Says a lot about phuket

[Boon Mee]

46 minutes ago, quadperfect said:

I have met about 2 amerivans innphuket in 12 years. Says a lot about phuket

Russians and OZ. 

Few Americans there. 

[madmitch]

Just wasted 30 seconds of my life reading an article that effectively says nothing.

[Srikcir]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Peter Haymond, the acting US Ambassador,

His official title is Chargé d’affaires ad interim.

And well qualified in that role, especially for Thailand.

https://th.usembassy.gov/our-relationship/our-ambassador/

[PETERTHEEATER]

I have met about 2 amerivans innphuket in 12 years. 

 

??

 

 

[LivinginKata]

5 hours ago, quadperfect said:

I have met about 2 amerivans innphuket in 12 years. Says a lot about phuket

 

I have met a lot more than that  ... mind you that's over 22 years. My first neighbour was American. I have had at least 10 US tenants over the years. Have 2 right now. Can think of another 20 passing friends. Lots of them down at Don's restaurant in Rawai. All claiming to be ex CIA or ex NASA or ex FBI.

 

For sure US visitors to Phuket are less than other Western nationalities.

  

[Jimi007]

On 12/11/2018 at 10:24 PM, LivinginKata said:

 

I have met a lot more than that  ... mind you that's over 22 years. My first neighbour was American. I have had at least 10 US tenants over the years. Have 2 right now. Can think of another 20 passing friends. Lots of them down at Don's restaurant in Rawai. All claiming to be ex CIA or ex NASA or ex FBI.

 

For sure US visitors to Phuket are less than other Western nationalities.

  

There aren't a lot of us and probably will be less with the new stupidity with Thai Immigration not accepting income affidavits from the US, UK and Australian embassies. I guess I will get a new O-A from the Thai Embassy here in the US next month. At least I won't have to deal with the Phuket Immigration Office any more! And I have never claimed to be a spook or a kook! 

 

[NamKangMan]

On 12/12/2018 at 5:24 PM, LivinginKata said:

 

I have met a lot more than that  ... mind you that's over 22 years. My first neighbour was American. I have had at least 10 US tenants over the years. Have 2 right now. Can think of another 20 passing friends. Lots of them down at Don's restaurant in Rawai. All claiming to be ex CIA or ex NASA or ex FBI.

 

For sure US visitors to Phuket are less than other Western nationalities.

  

 

22 years, and you haven't met someone claiming to be from SEAL Team 11?  ????

[LivinginKata]

8 minutes ago, NamKangMan said:

 

22 years, and you haven't met someone claiming to be from SEAL Team 11?  ????

 

As it happens I have had guests who are credible SAS or SBS members (Brits). But you need to stop trolling NKM. ????

[NamKangMan]

17 minutes ago, LivinginKata said:

 

As it happens I have had guests who are credible SAS or SBS members (Brits). But you need to stop trolling NKM. ????

 

I have met many here claiming to be from this, or from that. Of course, the majority of the time it's all BS.

 

I once met a guy here who claimed to be Mossad, so, I said, "Shalom."  He said, "What did you call me?"  I said, "Never mind."  ???? 

 

The funniest one I met was a guy who never claimed to be SAS, CIA etc, yet, he went on and on about all the police and officials here he knew, and who he counted as his "friends."  When asked, his claim to fame was, "I own a bar here."  I burst out laughing. 

 

Ahhhh, Phuket does attract some characters.  ????

 

 

Edited December 31, 2018 by NamKangMan

[xylophone]

On 12/31/2018 at 7:27 PM, NamKangMan said:

 

I have met many here claiming to be from this, or from that. Of course, the majority of the time it's all BS.

 

I once met a guy here who claimed to be Mossad, so, I said, "Shalom."  He said, "What did you call me?"  I said, "Never mind."  ???? 

 

The funniest one I met was a guy who never claimed to be SAS, CIA etc, yet, he went on and on about all the police and officials here he knew, and who he counted as his "friends."  When asked, his claim to fame was, "I own a bar here."  I burst out laughing. 

 

Ahhhh, Phuket does attract some characters.  ????

 

 

Ahhhh, Phuket does attract some characters.

 

Agree with that remark and just a couple that spring to mind are the guy who used to walk around here in combat fatigues, complete with beret and desert boots (and I think he was from Belgium or thereabouts) although I have not seen him in that "uniform" for a while now, and the other guy was from the UK and who always sported a black T-shirt and a black cap and would stroll around Jungceylon and its close environs "observing" as he would say.

 

He said that he was an undercover cop working with the Thai police and was on constant duty here and liked to creep up behind other expats, put his hand on their shoulder and say, "you're nicked" hoping it would frighten them.

 

I don't think the guy was a "sandwich short of a picnic" but he certainly revelled in his fantasy world.

 

Another guy, although not quite in the same bracket, is a guy I know who is constantly looking for a condo to buy, or that's what he says anyway.

 

However when I first met him about four years ago he was looking then and asked me to go along and look at a couple with him, which I did, anyway nothing became of that little venture and he has been looking and visiting condos ever since.

 

Saw him just a couple of days ago and he has been looking at a few more of late, but with no decision, so maybe he just needs something to do or is looking for company?

[geriatrickid]

I don't the US rep gives a sh*t. This was just part of his obligations. I am sure he would much rather play golf with one of the US multinational execs or have a meal with other foreign reps and  laugh at the  state of the posting.

[NamKangMan]

On 1/3/2019 at 2:43 PM, xylophone said:

Ahhhh, Phuket does attract some characters.

 

Agree with that remark and just a couple that spring to mind are the guy who used to walk around here in combat fatigues, complete with beret and desert boots (and I think he was from Belgium or thereabouts) although I have not seen him in that "uniform" for a while now, and the other guy was from the UK and who always sported a black T-shirt and a black cap and would stroll around Jungceylon and its close environs "observing" as he would say.

 

He said that he was an undercover cop working with the Thai police and was on constant duty here and liked to creep up behind other expats, put his hand on their shoulder and say, "you're nicked" hoping it would frighten them.

 

I don't think the guy was a "sandwich short of a picnic" but he certainly revelled in his fantasy world.

 

Another guy, although not quite in the same bracket, is a guy I know who is constantly looking for a condo to buy, or that's what he says anyway.

 

However when I first met him about four years ago he was looking then and asked me to go along and look at a couple with him, which I did, anyway nothing became of that little venture and he has been looking and visiting condos ever since.

 

Saw him just a couple of days ago and he has been looking at a few more of late, but with no decision, so maybe he just needs something to do or is looking for company?

 

"the guy who used to walk around here in combat fatigues, complete with beret and desert boots" - we nick named this guy "Rambo."  ????