Phuket Governor Supports Special Admin Status

[webfact]

 

Phuket Governor, Sophon Suwannarat, has endorsed a proposal to grant the province special administrative status similar to those in Bangkok and Pattaya. Sophon communicated his stance at the 2024 Phuket Chamber of Commerce (PCC) Annual General Meeting at Phuket Merlin Hotel. 

 

The governor lauded the PCC for fostering synergy between the private sector and government entities, thus boosting the province’s economic and societal growth while curbing various challenges. 

 

Sophon stressed the need to amplify Phuket’s fiscal autonomy, which he believes is currently capped by a limited budget. A modified scheme where Phuket has greater leverage over tax collection and budget allocation would ideally solve this predicament.

 

Sophon proposed the appointment of an elected provincial governor and introduced a reformed budget distribution strategy. Part of the provincial GDP and tax income would be locally reinvested, spawning inter-provincial competition to stimulate economic expansion. 

 

The governor also outlined ambitious infrastructure plans to tackle Phuket’s immediate obstacles. These include creating four new traffic routes, expanding traffic lanes, and improving water infrastructure. A notable project involves sourcing water from Cheow Lan Lake in Surat Thani to mitigate recurring water scarcity. 

 

Thai Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, backed the water project during his Phuket visit, pledging about 16 billion baht for the province’s development ventures. The PM emphasised robust wastewater and garbage management enforcement to avert waste dumping into public water bodies. 

 

The call for Phuket’s transition to a special administrative status represents a revolutionary shakeup in its governance system with possible impacts on its economic development and growth path. Ahead of PM Srettha’s Phuket visit, Wirintra Paphakityotphat, leader of the Tourism Council of Thailand Region 11 branch, submitted four formal petitions to the PM, the foremost being to permit Phuket to become a Special Administrative Zone.

 

Top File photo courtesy of Thai PBS

 

-- 2024-04-27

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[stoner]

he should definitely get special big boy status with that horrid jacket. 

[ChrisY1]

Soon to be renamed Phuketgrad....a special place

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, stoner said:

he should definitely get special big boy status with that horrid jacket. 

Santa special?

[Srikcir]

12 hours ago, webfact said:

The call for Phuket’s transition to a special administrative status represents a revolutionary shakeup in its governance system with possible impacts on its economic development and growth path.

Nothing revolutionary as the former Islamic Kingdom of Patani has been trying to at least gain a special status with Thailand for the last 100 years.