Phuket Officials Blasted For Inaction Over Mafia

[george]

Phuket officials blasted for inaction over mafia

Phuket Gazette – Thursday, June 28, 2012 6:06:01 PM

Phuket Tourist Association Vice President Sarayuth

Mallam attacked local government department heads

for failing to take an active interest in solving critical

tourist issues in Phuket. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

PHUKET: Phuket Tourist Association Vice President Sarayuth Mallam yesterday lashed out at local government heads for failing to see the importance of solving tourism issues and succumbing to the pressures of “foreign mafia”.

“Department heads are not placing the proper importance on solving these problems. Even at this meeting, for example, many heads of the relevant organizations are not here, such as the Phuket Police Commander, the Tourist Police Superintendent and the Immigration Superintendent.

“Instead, they send their subordinate officers to represent them,” said Mr Mallam at a meeting headed by Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha.

“It seems they don’t see the importance of solving the issues tourists are facing,” he claimed.

Mr Sarayuth explained that it was necessary for the heads of relevant offices to listen to the meetings in their entirety. “Many of them would like to work in Phuket, but some of them don’t know anything [about Phuket],” he said.

Mr Sarayuth said that mafia in Phuket, especially those headed by foreigners, were having deep-reaching effects on public safety.

“The presence of foreign mafia in Phuket is more frightening than local mafia. They are not afraid of the police,” he said.

Mr Sarayuth cited for Governor Tri the recent example of a staff member of a Patong timeshare company attacking a tourist.

“The tourist reported the attack to the police and the timeshare worker was questioned at Patong Police Station. However, the company called a powerful policeman from outside Phuket, who cleared the case. All the Patong Police could do was issue him a warning,” he explained.

Mr Sarayuth is already very familiar with suffering violent intimidation tactics. In 2002, he was attacked from behind and hit in the head with a hammer after leaving an appointment at Phuket Provincial Court.

Phuket Vice Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada pointed out that at a recent meeting in Bangkok, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung had made it clear that every province needed to monitor its major issues.

Once assessed, the strong points in the system could stand, but the weak would have to be addressed.

“Deputy PM Chalerm also ordered provincial governors to send reports to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra every 30 days, especially provinces that have issues with jet-ski rentals, “black taxis” (ordinary vehicles being used as taxis) and tourists being taken advantage of,” V/Gov Chamroen said.

“He said that if any places were having issues with mafia who officials were afraid to take action against, they should be named to him,” he added.

-- Phuket Gazette 2012-06-28

[NomadJoe]

Newsflash: Phuket officials are Phuket mafia.

[Jimi007]

“The presence of foreign mafia in Phuket is more frightening than local mafia. They are not afraid of the police,” he said.

Blame the foreigners! What a joke!

Mr Sarayuth explained that it was necessary for the heads of relevant offices to listen to the meetings in their entirety. “Many of them would like to work in Phuket, but some of them don’t know anything [about Phuket],” he said.

Calling the kettle black khun Sarayuth Mallam? You seem to be utterly clueless!

Edited June 28, 2012 by Jimi007

[keith101]

money buys silence and inaction

[madmitch]

Department heads are not placing the proper importance on solving these problems. Even at this meeting, for example, many heads of the relevant organizations are not here, such as the Phuket Police Commander, the Tourist Police Superintendent and the Immigration Superintendent.

“Instead, they send their subordinate officers to represent them,” said Mr Mallam, Phuket Tourist Association Vice President

Edited June 28, 2012 by madmitch

[hansgruber]

He is also a very powerful lawyer.

http://sminternationallaw.com/

[pistachios]

You should read the rest of his interview on the other phuket news site.

I don't know why phuket gazette didn't publish that but the guy must be on crack. He's also totally blaming farang news source because when they are publishing bad news it has a negative impact on the tourism industry.

You cannot make this up. How clueless one can be.

[NomadJoe]

He is also a very powerful lawyer.

http://sminternationallaw.com/

Can't be that powerful with a website made with Dreamweaver 2.0.

[stevenl]

Department heads are not placing the proper importance on solving these problems. Even at this meeting, for example, many heads of the relevant organizations are not here, such as the Phuket Police Commander, the Tourist Police Superintendent and the Immigration Superintendent.

“Instead, they send their subordinate officers to represent them,” said Mr Mallam, Phuket Tourist Association Vice President

Presidemnt is just an honorary title, vice president is the one in charge of operations. Same as in the US with many companies.

Yes, he is blaming foreigners, but at the same time he is also trying to achieve something and getting the officials of their bums. Nothing wrong with that, he is at least doing something.