Tourist Safety: Phuket Gov Meets Honorary Consuls

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Tourist safety: Phuket Gov meets honorary consuls

Canadian tourist Ivan Anwar said he would never return to Phuket after he was involved in a fight with a tuk-tuk driver in Patong in early January. File photo.

PHUKET TOWN: -- The Phuket Governor met with honorary consuls from 16 countries yesterday afternoon to discuss ways to improve safety for foreign tourists on holiday in Phuket.

Phuket Governor Wichai Phraisa-ngop chaired the meeting, which was hosted by the Royal Phuket City Hotel. Only the honorary consul from Spain was unable to attend.

After all attendees introduced themselves at the start of the gathering, Governor Wichai spoke though an interpreter to share his views about tourist safety issues.

Gov Wichai said that from now on all criminal cases and accidents involving foreign tourists would be reported by police to both the Phuket Provincial Office and either the consular official or embassy of the party involved.

Police will now have to not only report arrests, but also keep the diplomatic missions informed of updates in investigations involving their nationals.

As for the controversial issue of closing times at nightlife entertainment venues, Gov Wichai said he would like to introduce special zones in popular tourist areas that would allow foreigners to enjoy Las Vegas-style partying throughout the night.

Soi Bangla and Rat U-Thit Road in Patong and Thalang Road in Phuket Town were mentioned as possible areas for such zones, he said.

“But the special zones would only be for foreign tourists, not Thais,” he said.

The governor also spoke frankly on the issue of public transport options for tourists, reiterating that he would like to introduce standardized pricing requiring all independent-hire transport vehicles on the island, including tuk-tuks, to be fitted with meters.

Gov Wichai said he intends to call all of the departments involved to discuss the possibility of moving forward with such a plan, which he admitted is still in the conceptual stages.

Many disputes between passengers and drivers are the result of misunderstandings, he said.

Poor English language skills on the part of drivers and tourists’ unfamiliarity with the geography of the island combine to create confusion and frustration that can sometimes lead to disputes, he said.

As for complaints about long lines to clear customs, immigration and security requirements at Phuket International Airport, Gov Wichai promised to rectify the situation by tripling the number of X-ray machines there.

A question-and-answer session followed the governor’s two-hour talk.

German Honorary Consul Dirk Naumann pointed out that frustration with the tuk-tuk services on the island had reached a point where news about disputes had made headlines in media outlets around the globe.

Taxi services on the island present far fewer problems than tuk-tuks, which grossly overcharge passengers, he said.

Taxi and tuk-tuk drivers risk getting shot if they pick up passengers outside their own turf, he added.

Mr Naumann said that as honorary consul it was important that he also received real-time reports about accidents and deaths involving German citizens, not just police arrests.

Tossaporn Thepabutr, one of Phuket’s three members of parliament, also serves as honorary consul for South Korea. He said he would like the governor to address the problem of foreign tourists who are arrested or fined for driving without a Thai license, even though they are in possession of licenses issued by their home countries. Such problems are compounded when tourists get into accidents with rented vehicles, he said.

Supporting this idea, British Honorary Consul Martin Carpenter added that outfits renting vehicles to foreigners usually hold onto their passports as surety as a matter of procedure.

He suggested taking steps to change this, because people caught driving without a Thai license face problems with Traffic Police as well as Immigration if they are caught.

-- Phuket Gazette 2010-02-09

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[Thongkorn]

Its a start in the right direction, Most tuk tuk drivers can speak English. Its there attitude and dis honesty that pi.. people off. They are aggressive and confrontational. But then again its there country and the way they are going thats all there will be in Thailand,Thais. My friend has a Hotel there, He is a good man. But he has told me that if any one speaks out of turn they get hassle. Many police have vested interests in many businesses in Patong, Maybe it should be illegal for police to have any business in the Area he patrols, or even own town.

[chiang mai]

Diplomatic speak for, northing's going to change except we now see an opportunity to buy some more X-Ray machines for the airport," said the Governor speaking through an interpreter! Wheeeeee.

[billythehat]

“Many disputes between passengers and drivers are the result of misunderstandings, he said.”

Well I’m glad that’s cleared that one up. The beatings are the result of the evil and dumb farangs failure to understand that they must submit to being robbed. Yep, that should put the visiting families mind to rest on this matter. Nice one Somchai.

[Felt 35]

Gov Wichai said he would like to introduce special zones in popular tourist areas that would allow foreigners to enjoy Las Vegas-style partying throughout the night.

Have there if so will be allowed been thought about very possible consequences as more drunk driving, crime and robberies at wee hours and how to avoid it?

Soi Bangla and Rat U-Thit Road in Patong and Thalang Road in Phuket Town were mentioned as possible areas for such zones, he said.

And everywhere North and South of Rat U- Thit tourists are expected to go to bed 2am?

“But the special zones would only be for foreign tourists, not Thais,” he said

Unbelievable With the discipline and respect people generally have for regulations here this will go smooth

[Pomthai]

Its a start but does this mean,

“But the special zones would only be for foreign tourists, not Thais,” he said.

I could go out with for example some visiting friends and party all night but my Thai wife would have to head off home at 2am?

I think Patongs night life would be pretty quiet after 2am is it has to be devoid of Thais by 2am lol

[ScubaBuddha]

Diplomatic speak for, northing's going to change except we now see an opportunity to buy some more X-Ray machines for the airport," said the Governor speaking through an interpreter! Wheeeeee.

I don't know CM, maybe your right, but I think it's good to have some foreigners standing up and saying these problems need to be addressed. Can't hurt.

Its a start but does this mean,

"But the special zones would only be for foreign tourists, not Thais," he said.

I could go out with for example some visiting friends and party all night but my Thai wife would have to head off home at 2am?

I think Patongs night life would be pretty quiet after 2am is it has to be devoid of Thais by 2am lol

Would be a funny sight to see Tiger Disco at 0230 emptied out of all the freelancers that make 60% of thier clientele at that time. No, I'm sure this won't apply to the ladies of the night. Probably won't be applied to any Thai's, just a way to appear like you are preserving the traditional values while simultaneously milking tourists for every baht they can. Brilliant really.

[shawndoc]

Taxi and tuk-tuk drivers risk getting shot if they pick up passengers outside their own turf, he added.

This is a big step in the right direction. There's a long way to go, but at least the Governor is at least calling for these meetings and listening. Here's hoping some action actually takes place.