Minister Addresses Phuket Tourism Problems

[Lite Beer]

Minister addresses Phuket tourism problems
Naraporn Tuarob

PHUKET: The island has a number of tourism problems that need fixing, Somsak Pureesrisak, Thailand's new Minister of Tourism and Sports, said yesterday (May 4).

Speaking after a meeting at the Radisson BLU Plaza Resort at Cape Panwa to discuss the state of tourism on the island, in Phang Nga and in Krabi, he outlined problems that had been brought up at the meeting and need addressing.

When he started work as Minister on April 6, Mr Somsak said that tourist safety would be his top priority. “If Thailand is not a safe destination in the eyes of foreign tourists, it would be useless to invest many hundreds of billions of baht to boost Thai tourism,” he was quoted by the Bangkok Post as saying.

After yesterday’s meeting he said, “We heard a lot of problems and topics of concern.

“We need to have tourist service boxes in important points like Patong with information in foreign languages but we need to talk with the relevant authorities to find the best possible way to do this”.

Another safety problem, he said, was that of tourists renting vehicles without a valid driver’s license – and of vehicle renters allowing them to do so.

“Tourists renting [motorbikes or cars] must have a valid international driving license. Otherwise, when they have an accident, they are not protected by the law. Again, we need to discuss with the relevant authorities about the appropriate solution.”

He said that his ministry understands well the importance of tourism in Phuket to the national economy, and gave assurances that it would support Phuket, particularly in upgrading tourists to “higher quality”.

“We expect tourism income in Phuket to reach B2.2 trillion by the end of 2015, so we need to focus on persuading quality tourists to come and buy goods [and services] in Phuket.

“In Phuket we face a problem whereby high quality tourists are ‘invaded’ by low quality visitors. But the problem is that we can’t force them to do this or that, or to go here or there.

“We have to address this at the origin,” he said, by concentrating marketing efforts on persuading more quality tourists to come to the island.

“I know that Phuket makes a huge contribution to the income of the country, so we need to take care of the island. I know that the problems and bad effects [of mass tourism] are the main issues here, so we have to find ways to solve the problems to keep Phuket going.”

One problem arising from mass tourism is that of illegal foreign tour guides, he said. “These include illegal tour guides from countries such as China. This cannot be allowed. It is illegal, but we need the support of the central government to apply a solution.

“We have courses to teach foreign languages to young people. We have to support them and encourage them to become tour guides.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/minister-addresses-phuket-tourism-problems-39201.php

-- Phuket News 2013-05-05

[NomadJoe]

The number one thing they can do in Phuket is convert all tuk tuks to hop-on hop-off like the songthaews in Pattaya and other places. Make one route up and down the coastal beach towns, one route can be a loop around Kata, Karon, Chalong, Rawai, one route between Patong and Phuket town, and one between Chalong circle and Phuket town. Make them 30-40B per person. That will solve the problem of foreigners needing to rent cars and motorbikes unlicensed, and ease traffic and parking congestion.

Another safety problem, he said, was that of tourists renting vehicles without a valid drivers license and of vehicle renters allowing them to do so.

Tourists renting [motorbikes or cars] must have a valid international driving license. Otherwise, when they have an accident, they are not protected by the law.

They really need to be clearer about what they mean here. Despite what some outdated consulate websites are claiming, a license from your home country if in English and with a photo is an "international license" and accepted by police, rental companies, and insurance. Most countries have a reciprocal agreement about this. (UN Geneva Convention on Road Traffic Act of 1949) But you must be a tourist and the license must be for the class of vehicle you are operating. Foreign residents must have a Thai drivers license. Most tourists don't have a motorcycle license but that has never stopped motorbike renters from renting to them. The police usually let tourists off as long as they have a car license from home although technically they can cite you.

Edited May 5, 2013 by NomadJoe

[madmitch]

New minister, same old crap churned out.

And correct me if I am wrong but isn't the B2trillion tourism target for the whole of Thailand?

[chooka]

Ok he has mentioned a few things that lower class foriegners are doing wrong which apparently effects tourism numbers like chinese tour guides and tourists without an international driver licence.

No mention of the concerns raised by the various ambassadors like, the scams, rapes, assaults and robberies etc. I think these issues would have more of an effect on tourism than a person without an international driver licence.

[JetsetBkk]

Anyone got an email address for Somsak Pureesrisak, the Minister of Tourism and Sports?

[pistachios]

"We have to address this" "We need to find a solution" "we need to discuss with the authorities" blah blah blah

Good to know his government has done SFA for tourism since they were elected, and that they still have no clue on how to solve problems, that are actually badly analysed.

He misses the point at so many levels it is scary such person managed to get a minister seat.

An international driving licence will not help to pay the bills at the hospital after an accident.

According to him, the fact that "cheap tourists" are driving away "high quality tourists" isn't caused by poor infrastructure, pollution, scams, proliferation of cheap and unregulated accomodations, the general destruction of the island, but... wait for it... marketing!

The obvious lack of chinese speaking tourist guides will be solved by teaching young students to speak chinese. Really? I think a student clever and hard working enough to master a very difficult language will find a much better job than a low paid guide for low cost tour operators...

But the most disgusting statement isn't on this article but on the other news source. He said that cheap tourists have destroyed the environment. You can't make this up. So the cheap tourists are responsible for the lack of forward planning. The cheap tourists are the reason hotels, restaurants, condos are throwing away their crap straight into the klongs. The cheap tourists are letting illegal dumpster sites florishing everywhere on the island. The cheap tourists didn't build any efficient water treatment facilities. The cheap tourists forgot to upgrade the garbage incinerator. The cheap tourists are also throwing away their old fishing nets and used engine oil into the sea. Duh.

Thank you Khun Pureesrisak, now we know for sure phuket is doomed to become a second pattaya, or even worse.

[chooka]

"We have to address this" "We need to find a solution" "we need to discuss with the authorities" blah blah blah

Good to know his government has done SFA for tourism since they were elected, and that they still have no clue on how to solve problems, that are actually badly analysed.

He misses the point at so many levels it is scary such person managed to get a minister seat.

An international driving licence will not help to pay the bills at the hospital after an accident.

According to him, the fact that "cheap tourists" are driving away "high quality tourists" isn't caused by poor infrastructure, pollution, scams, proliferation of cheap and unregulated accomodations, the general destruction of the island, but... wait for it... marketing!

The obvious lack of chinese speaking tourist guides will be solved by teaching young students to speak chinese. Really? I think a student clever and hard working enough to master a very difficult language will find a much better job than a low paid guide for low cost tour operators...

But the most disgusting statement isn't on this article but on the other news source. He said that cheap tourists have destroyed the environment. You can't make this up. So the cheap tourists are responsible for the lack of forward planning. The cheap tourists are the reason hotels, restaurants, condos are throwing away their crap straight into the klongs. The cheap tourists are letting illegal dumpster sites florishing everywhere on the island. The cheap tourists didn't build any efficient water treatment facilities. The cheap tourists forgot to upgrade the garbage incinerator. The cheap tourists are also throwing away their old fishing nets and used engine oil into the sea. Duh.

Thank you Khun Pureesrisak, now we know for sure phuket is doomed to become a second pattaya, or even worse.

He is basically saying it is all the farangs fault.

[steelepulse]

Blah blah, blah blah. New minister, same rhetoric that we've heard for over a decade. Highlight minor things and don't address the real issues that the "influential" families cause.

[EBlair48]

I vote Pistachios as our communication liason in the ThaiXpat rebellion !

This especially :

But the most disgusting statement isn't on this article but on the other news source. He said that cheap tourists have destroyed the environment.
You can't make this up. So the cheap tourists are responsible for the
lack of forward planning. The cheap tourists are the reason hotels,
restaurants, condos are throwing away their crap straight into the
klongs. The cheap tourists are letting illegal dumpster sites florishing
everywhere on the island. The cheap tourists didn't build any efficient
water treatment facilities. The cheap tourists forgot to upgrade the
garbage incinerator. The cheap tourists are also throwing away their old
fishing nets and used engine oil into the sea.

"We have to address this" "We need to find a solution" "we need to discuss with the authorities" blah blah blah

Good to know his government has done SFA for tourism since they were elected, and that they still have no clue on how to solve problems, that are actually badly analysed.

He misses the point at so many levels it is scary such person managed to get a minister seat.

An international driving licence will not help to pay the bills at the hospital after an accident.

According to him, the fact that "cheap tourists" are driving away "high quality tourists" isn't caused by poor infrastructure, pollution, scams, proliferation of cheap and unregulated accomodations, the general destruction of the island, but... wait for it... marketing!

The obvious lack of chinese speaking tourist guides will be solved by teaching young students to speak chinese. Really? I think a student clever and hard working enough to master a very difficult language will find a much better job than a low paid guide for low cost tour operators...

But the most disgusting statement isn't on this article but on the other news source. He said that cheap tourists have destroyed the environment. You can't make this up. So the cheap tourists are responsible for the lack of forward planning. The cheap tourists are the reason hotels, restaurants, condos are throwing away their crap straight into the klongs. The cheap tourists are letting illegal dumpster sites florishing everywhere on the island. The cheap tourists didn't build any efficient water treatment facilities. The cheap tourists forgot to upgrade the garbage incinerator. The cheap tourists are also throwing away their old fishing nets and used engine oil into the sea. Duh.

Thank you Khun Pureesrisak, now we know for sure phuket is doomed to become a second pattaya, or even worse.

[jocko]

The number one thing they can do in Phuket is convert all tuk tuks to hop-on hop-off like the songthaews in Pattaya and other places. Make one route up and down the coastal beach towns, one route can be a loop around Kata, Karon, Chalong, Rawai, one route between Patong and Phuket town, and one between Chalong circle and Phuket town. Make them 30-40B per person. That will solve the problem of foreigners needing to rent cars and motorbikes unlicensed, and ease traffic and parking congestion.

Another safety problem, he said, was that of tourists renting vehicles without a valid drivers license and of vehicle renters allowing them to do so.

Tourists renting [motorbikes or cars] must have a valid international driving license. Otherwise, when they have an accident, they are not protected by the law.

They really need to be clearer about what they mean here. Despite what some outdated consulate websites are claiming, a license from your home country if in English and with a photo is an "international license" and accepted by police, rental companies, and insurance. Most countries have a reciprocal agreement about this. (UN Geneva Convention on Road Traffic Act of 1949) But you must be a tourist and the license must be for the class of vehicle you are operating. Foreign residents must have a Thai drivers license. Most tourists don't have a motorcycle license but that has never stopped motorbike renters from renting to them. The police usually let tourists off as long as they have a car license from home although technically they can cite you.

I could see problems with Thais looking at your licence and not be able to understand the categories that are on the back of the licence in the UK you get pamphlet with your licence to point out what you are able to drive . Most Thais would not have a clue what they are looking at.

[wiyada]

It's good to see they plan to consult with foreigners on what they actually want ! (not) So high end tourists are better, do they not question rip of taxi fares ?

If high end tourists only went to Phuket would there not be a gross over supply of taxis ? all low end hoteliers would be just empty buildings and of course the sex industry might be culled somewhat too.

With poor infrastructure, litter everywhere and theThai general attitudes towards foreigners perhaps they too will go elsewhere. High end tourists strange as it may seem, expect high end services.

[winstonc]

wiyada you hit it straight between the eyes lad no mention of the tuk tuk dont sposse he will ever use one,as for cheap tourists maybe he should, tell all embassies to let their people no that there not welcome in los,wonder if he will keep his job,cheap tourists outway the rich,on spending,and in anycase the rich have been here a long time ago,seen what its like now and wont return there off to pastures new,,jogon minister,,dont tell i said tho,if he loses face,therel be hell to pay,,

[wellred]

He must be making a tonne from the tuk Tuks and scams so why try bring attention to that.

[eezergood]

I vote Pistachios as our communication liason in the ThaiXpat rebellion !

This especially :

But the most disgusting statement isn't on this article but on the other news source. He said that cheap tourists have destroyed the environment.

You can't make this up. So the cheap tourists are responsible for the

lack of forward planning. The cheap tourists are the reason hotels,

restaurants, condos are throwing away their crap straight into the

klongs. The cheap tourists are letting illegal dumpster sites florishing

everywhere on the island. The cheap tourists didn't build any efficient

water treatment facilities. The cheap tourists forgot to upgrade the

garbage incinerator. The cheap tourists are also throwing away their old

fishing nets and used engine oil into the sea.

"We have to address this" "We need to find a solution" "we need to discuss with the authorities" blah blah blah

Good to know his government has done SFA for tourism since they were elected, and that they still have no clue on how to solve problems, that are actually badly analysed.

He misses the point at so many levels it is scary such person managed to get a minister seat.

An international driving licence will not help to pay the bills at the hospital after an accident.

According to him, the fact that "cheap tourists" are driving away "high quality tourists" isn't caused by poor infrastructure, pollution, scams, proliferation of cheap and unregulated accomodations, the general destruction of the island, but... wait for it... marketing!

The obvious lack of chinese speaking tourist guides will be solved by teaching young students to speak chinese. Really? I think a student clever and hard working enough to master a very difficult language will find a much better job than a low paid guide for low cost tour operators...

But the most disgusting statement isn't on this article but on the other news source. He said that cheap tourists have destroyed the environment. You can't make this up. So the cheap tourists are responsible for the lack of forward planning. The cheap tourists are the reason hotels, restaurants, condos are throwing away their crap straight into the klongs. The cheap tourists are letting illegal dumpster sites florishing everywhere on the island. The cheap tourists didn't build any efficient water treatment facilities. The cheap tourists forgot to upgrade the garbage incinerator. The cheap tourists are also throwing away their old fishing nets and used engine oil into the sea. Duh.

Thank you Khun Pureesrisak, now we know for sure phuket is doomed to become a second pattaya, or even worse.

Yesterday I saw I guy just throwing a polybox full of old fishing lines & general crap into the ocean in Patong. I called the Tourist police 4 times no answer, I also informed an officer ..... well you can guess the rest

[sonar6ca]

Another safety problem, he said, was that of tourists renting vehicles without a valid driver’s license – and of vehicle renters allowing them to do so.

No shit, I wish I had 1 Baht for every Thai without a licence or even better without insurance, I could buy a province or two.

[horsewell]

There is a lot of people that think driving is a free for all. If you hire a bike in Patong you may not know what side of the road do drive on because of the "one way system"... You would hope that it's ultimately the responsibility of the person renting to be responsible for checking for cars and jet-skis for that matter. That "no insurance" is just bs! Even knowing and adhering to the law doesn't save everyone...

[livinthailandos]

Another year, another same repetitive speech from the so called tourism ministers. Nothing new and no real changes ever my prediction another year comes and goes along with another repetitive speech

Sent from my using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[RigPig]

How about licensing car and motorbike rental companies? At least there may be some semblance of conforming with basic safety standards and (maybe) someone could be held responsible for insurance and licensing, you would only need a special number plate to show it is a rental bike / car. They have them for taxis.....

As it is most of the rental bikes aren't even registered (red plates) let alone insured or have licensed drivers. I take the point most Thais aren't licensed or registered but if the rentals are at least the tourists would have some form of protection from them.

Oh sorry there is no word for responsible in Thai.....

[crazygreg44]

Somsak should go back to school. Maybe there he will learn that "result" is based on "effect". He sounds like a child trying to explain that it is all foreigners fault that the tourism sector of Thailand has flaws . . . wake up and get back to work!

Edited May 6, 2013 by crazygreg44