Mayor Pian Unveils 14 Strategies To Develop Patong

[webfact]

Mayor Pian unveils '14 strategies' to develop Patong

Phuket Gazette

Entering his self-imposed final term as Patong Mayor, Pian Keesin delivered his 14-strategy plan to his officers yesterday. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Pian Keesin, launching into his final term as Patong Mayor, has revealed a grand plan of “14 strategies” to transform Patong into a “Livable and Sustainable Tourist Destination City”.

Speaking at a Patong council meeting on Monday, Mayor Pian said, “In order to prepare our town for the beginning of the Asean Economic Community [AEC] in 2015, we will have to raise our standards to international level.

“To achieve that, I propose a plan of 14 different strategies that will highlight different aspects and help our town develop in the right direction,” he added.

In delivering his address, Mayor Pian listed each strategy, with a brief description, as follows:

Strategy 1: Education

“We will give everyone a chance to be equal in education. We will support having computer classes in school, English classes taught by native speakers, and after school classes will be provided for students.”

Strategy 2: Sport and recreation

“We will push to set up a sports complex in Patong, and we will hold sports competitions so everyone can enjoy sports.”

Strategy 3: Information technology development

“We will push our ‘Patong WiFi City’ project, especially in the Loma Park area. The Patong Municipality official website also will be made available so that anyone can publish their public relations through our website.”

Strategy 4: Promotion of local culture and customs

“We will promote local culture and traditions. More events to support culture, tradition and religion will be held so that a deep appreciation of local people will be long-lasting.”

Strategy 5: Social order

“Everyone will be equal in the community according to the law.”

Strategy 6: Drug prevention

“Our communities will be kept safe from drugs. We will do everything to prevent drugs in the area.”

Strategy 7: Public health

“We will promote the public health network by launching activities such as exercise programs that allow people in the community to take part. Food safety is an issue that should also be focused on. Food should be 100 per cent safe and clean and vendors should be inspected regularly. Also, everyone should have access to medical treatment.”

Strategy 8: Increase work efficiency of Patong Municipality staff

“Our work will be clean and transparent. People can check on us and inspect us anytime they want. We will listen to what people in the area need and ensure that we take care of all problems.

“We will provide enough staff to be on duty the whole time during office hours. We will also develop a ‘One Stop Service’ system to save time for people who need to contact us.”

Strategy 9: Economic and tourism promotion

“We will ensure that public services and facilities are ready to serve everyone in order to support the tourism industry, and we will promote local careers in order to help develop the local economy.”

Strategy 10: Public utilities and infrastructure

“We will improve our wastewater treatment capabilities and expand the city sewer network to cover the whole Patong area in order to prepare the town for further expansion.”

Strategy 11: Town plan and Patong city development

“We will develop the town plan to support growth of the local economy and development of the community, and encourage Patong residents to actively take part in developing their city.”

Strategy 12: Natural resources and environment

“We will improve public hygiene and cleanliness, by improving trash collection and how the people dispose of their garbage in the city, and we will promote activities to rehabilitate Patong Beach and promote our municipality to be a ‘green’ community.”

Strategy 13: Preserving safety and security of local residents and tourists

“We will add more CCTV cameras throughout the community and set up an EMS [emergency medical services] mobile unit to provide initial treatment to residents and tourists in need.

“Problems with flooding will be solved and disaster-relief operation officers will be provided seminars and training sessions in conducting rescue operations.”

Strategy 14: Traffic

“We will make any changes needed to improve traffic flow in Patong, and designate traffic police officers to facilitate traffic flow during rush hour. CCTV cameras will be installed at intersections and in crowded areas to prevent drivers from breaking traffic rules and we will widen roads in some areas that already suffer from traffic jams.”

Mayor Pian did not elaborate on which parts of the community, if any, may be lacking such essential services as some of those listed above.

He also did not present any detailed plans on how the above objectives were to be achieved. Such details are to become available as the plans are approved, he said.

“All these 14 strategies will be applied practically. We will set up a development strategic plan, designate projects and distribute the budget to support and push Patong to become a ‘Livable and Sustainable Tourist Destination City’,” he said.

“Progress reports will be submitted to the Patong Municipality Council every year,” he added.

Source: http://www.phuketgaz...ticle18132.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2012-10-10

[Soupdragon]

15. Comprehensive realistically price public transport system.

Strange how he always forgets to put this on any agenda.

[Katipo]

How about a reforestation program, not just in Phuket, but anywhere in Thailand that has been raped of it's beauty and left baron?

[Phuket Stan]

How about repairing the Patong Hill road to international standards....a huge disater waiting to happen.

[NamKangMan]

15. Comprehensive realistically price public transport system.

Strange how he always forgets to put this on any agenda.

Yes, considering a proper and affordable public transport system for the island would have an automatic and positive impact on items: 5, 7, 9, 11, 12 and 13. That's how important public transport, which is an essential service, is to this island.

While other major tourist destinations, in Thailand and neighbouring countries, are moving forward, Phuket just gets more of the same hollow words.

Not a single positive thing being done for tourists, and the tourism industry here. Hardly sustainable.

It's a sick joke on everyone here.

Edited October 10, 2012 by NamKangMan

[Paangjang]

15. Comprehensive realistically price public transport system.

Strange how he always forgets to put this on any agenda.

Yes, considering a proper and affordable public transport system for the island would have an automatic and positive impact on items: 5, 7, 9, 11, 12 and 13. That's how important public transport, which is an essential service, is to this island.

While other major tourist destinations, in Thailand and neighbouring countries, are moving forward, Phuket just gets more of the same hollow words.

Not a single positive thing being done for tourists, and the tourism industry here. Hardly sustainable.

It's a sick joke on everyone here.

You missed out no.6 NKM. Anybody else fed up with being offered drugs by tuk tuk drivers? "Taxi, no, err you wan smoke smoke mye? Lady mye? Boom Boom?"

[NamKangMan]

15. Comprehensive realistically price public transport system.

Strange how he always forgets to put this on any agenda.

Yes, considering a proper and affordable public transport system for the island would have an automatic and positive impact on items: 5, 7, 9, 11, 12 and 13. That's how important public transport, which is an essential service, is to this island.

While other major tourist destinations, in Thailand and neighbouring countries, are moving forward, Phuket just gets more of the same hollow words.

Not a single positive thing being done for tourists, and the tourism industry here. Hardly sustainable.

It's a sick joke on everyone here.

You missed out no.6 NKM. Anybody else fed up with being offered drugs by tuk tuk drivers? "Taxi, no, err you wan smoke smoke mye? Lady mye? Boom Boom?"

If they charge 200 baht to drive 500 metres - I'd hate to think what they charge for the other things you mention. :)

[blackthorn2005]

15. Comprehensive realistically price public transport system.

Strange how he always forgets to put this on any agenda.

His family is into every available form of transport in Patong, including the jet skis. He is not interested in tourists health, well-being or security as long as the $$$$$ keep rolling in!

[Valentine]

Pretty vague gestures. Comprehensive plans would be more helpful to show he is really serious about improving Patong. This guy has the clout to bring in a decent public transportation system but this rates no mention. Yes he, his family & mates might be making big money with the existing system but surely they could devise a way to have a public transportation system that is much more beneficial & cost effective for both the local populace & tourists alike while still making money through a private company.

[NamKangMan]

Pretty vague gestures. Comprehensive plans would be more helpful to show he is really serious about improving Patong. This guy has the clout to bring in a decent public transportation system but this rates no mention. Yes he, his family & mates might be making big money with the existing system but surely they could devise a way to have a public transportation system that is much more beneficial & cost effective for both the local populace & tourists alike while still making money through a private company.

It's easy. Pattaya has the baht bus system for 10 baht a journey. Why not have the tuk-tuks drive around as baht buses? They can charge 20 baht or 30 baht a journey - so the profits are still there to be made. It's so simple.

More lucrative routes can be shared between the drivers - they can have their own roster for this. The coast road can be 50 baht each between beaches - 8 passengers in the back - that's 400 baht - currently what they charge. No need for so much motorbike hire causing noise, polution, accidents, injury, death, traffic, intoxicated riders/drivers etc.

The solution is sitting parked on Beach Road ready to go. No rip offs, no scams, no beatings. Local Thai's, tourist and expats will all use the service, as they do in Pattaya. I

f the order came from the top guys, it could start tomorrow with no capital input required. There would be a higher fuel bill for drivers, but this would be offset by the much higher income/profits.

The problem is, the tuk-tuk drivers here would rather sit around and play cards all day and rip off one tourist for a days wage, than work all shift as a driver and make more money.

Where else in the world do you see a taxi driver make a living from one fare a day? It's a ridiculous situation here.

Edited October 11, 2012 by NamKangMan

[madmitch]

Pretty vague gestures. Comprehensive plans would be more helpful to show he is really serious about improving Patong. This guy has the clout to bring in a decent public transportation system but this rates no mention. Yes he, his family & mates might be making big money with the existing system but surely they could devise a way to have a public transportation system that is much more beneficial & cost effective for both the local populace & tourists alike while still making money through a private company.

It's easy. Pattaya has the baht bus system for 10 baht a journey. Why not have the tuk-tuks drive around as baht buses? They can charge 20 baht or 30 baht a journey - so the profits are still there to be made. It's so simple.

More lucrative routes can be shared between the drivers - they can have their own roster for this. The coast road can be 50 baht each between beaches - 8 passengers in the back - that's 400 baht - currently what they charge. No need for so much motorbike hire causing noise, polution, accidents, injury, death, traffic, intoxicated riders/drivers etc.

The solution is sitting parked on Beach Road ready to go. No rip offs, no scams, no beatings. Local Thai's, tourist and expats will all use the service, as they do in Pattaya. I

f the order came from the top guys, it could start tomorrow with no capital input required. There would be a higher fuel bill for drivers, but this would be offset by the much higher income/profits.

The problem is, the tuk-tuk drivers here would rather sit around and play cards all day and rip off one tourist for a days wage, than work all shift as a driver and make more money.

Where else in the world do you see a taxi driver make a living from one fare a day? It's a ridiculous situation here.

Sounds great, sounds easy, sounds logical and I am sure the plan would have 100% support from members of this forum.

Customers would happily pay 100 baht between Karon/Kata and Patong, for example, in a shared tuktuk acting as a baht bus or 30 baht from one end of Patong to another.

But it won't happen. There are too many tuktuks for a start and there's no way they would develop a roster between them for a baht bus type service as too few would be able to be operational at any one time to make it viable. And they won't reduce the numbers as this is not good for certain businessmen, including the man referred to in the OP.

Between the beaches they'd still only be able to work a one way trip as the various co-operatives won't work with each other to allow a Karon tuktuk to pick up in Patong and vice versa.

And, let's be honest, most of the drivers probably prefer only doing a couple of jobs a day so they can laze around the rest of the time.

[sportsman69]

Pretty vague gestures. Comprehensive plans would be more helpful to show he is really serious about improving Patong. This guy has the clout to bring in a decent public transportation system but this rates no mention. Yes he, his family & mates might be making big money with the existing system but surely they could devise a way to have a public transportation system that is much more beneficial & cost effective for both the local populace & tourists alike while still making money through a private company.

Val.

You and I have both lived here long enough to realize that in Phuket and especially Patong, enough is never enough. The greed is insatiable. The Mayor is sprouting bullsnit on a daily basis, his words mean nothing, he is, In true politicians fashion, simply telling the people what they want to hear. The truth is irrelevant. Any person with 1/2 a brain can see through it, and to try to change the status quo is akin to pissin' in the wind. The way things stand there is no solution without high level government intervention and that won't happen either as they've got their noses in the trough as well.

" Pian Keesin, launching into his final term as Patong Mayor "..............one guess as to who his successor will be.

[TheWalkingMan]

Sounds like a speech full of sizzle without any steak.

[atyclb]

How about repairing the Patong Hill road to international standards....a huge disater waiting to happen.

An unintentional oversight, theres lots to be made in kickbacks for such a project also.

[NamKangMan]

Pretty vague gestures. Comprehensive plans would be more helpful to show he is really serious about improving Patong. This guy has the clout to bring in a decent public transportation system but this rates no mention. Yes he, his family & mates might be making big money with the existing system but surely they could devise a way to have a public transportation system that is much more beneficial & cost effective for both the local populace & tourists alike while still making money through a private company.

It's easy. Pattaya has the baht bus system for 10 baht a journey. Why not have the tuk-tuks drive around as baht buses? They can charge 20 baht or 30 baht a journey - so the profits are still there to be made. It's so simple.

More lucrative routes can be shared between the drivers - they can have their own roster for this. The coast road can be 50 baht each between beaches - 8 passengers in the back - that's 400 baht - currently what they charge. No need for so much motorbike hire causing noise, polution, accidents, injury, death, traffic, intoxicated riders/drivers etc.

The solution is sitting parked on Beach Road ready to go. No rip offs, no scams, no beatings. Local Thai's, tourist and expats will all use the service, as they do in Pattaya. I

f the order came from the top guys, it could start tomorrow with no capital input required. There would be a higher fuel bill for drivers, but this would be offset by the much higher income/profits.

The problem is, the tuk-tuk drivers here would rather sit around and play cards all day and rip off one tourist for a days wage, than work all shift as a driver and make more money.

Where else in the world do you see a taxi driver make a living from one fare a day? It's a ridiculous situation here.

Sounds great, sounds easy, sounds logical and I am sure the plan would have 100% support from members of this forum.

Customers would happily pay 100 baht between Karon/Kata and Patong, for example, in a shared tuktuk acting as a baht bus or 30 baht from one end of Patong to another.

But it won't happen. There are too many tuktuks for a start and there's no way they would develop a roster between them for a baht bus type service as too few would be able to be operational at any one time to make it viable. And they won't reduce the numbers as this is not good for certain businessmen, including the man referred to in the OP.

Between the beaches they'd still only be able to work a one way trip as the various co-operatives won't work with each other to allow a Karon tuktuk to pick up in Patong and vice versa.

And, let's be honest, most of the drivers probably prefer only doing a couple of jobs a day so they can laze around the rest of the time.

Yes, there are too many tuk-tuks and they will not be able to make enough money in the future, so, I expect fares to rise again in the future - and it just gets worse and worse.

[Soupdragon]

How about repairing the Patong Hill road to international standards....a huge disater waiting to happen.

An unintentional oversight, theres lots to be made in kickbacks for such a project also.

A lot more to be made from the tunnel project.

[steelepulse]

How about repairing the Patong Hill road to international standards....a huge disater waiting to happen.

An unintentional oversight, theres lots to be made in kickbacks for such a project also.

A lot more to be made from the tunnel project.

So true, the feasibility studies and shoddy repairing of the hill road is just chump change compared to the money printing tunnel project.