Phuket Tourism Association President worries assaults on tourists affecting island’s image

[Lite Beer]

Phuket Tourism Association President worries assaults on tourists affecting island’s image
Prapaporn Jitmaneeyaphan

PHUKET: Phuket Tourist Association President Ponganan Suwannakarn believes assaults on tourists is the most serious problem affecting Phuket’s image, but is hopeful the visiting DSI from Bangkok will be able to help fix the island’s problems.

Phuket Tourism Association President worries assaults on tourists affecting island’s image
He also said the association had not gotten enough support from the Phuket Provincial Government to help with the issues the island faces.

Problems with tuk-tuks, taxis, general ripoffs and jet ski scams are long-documented issues that tourists often face when visiting Phuket.

He said Phuket had caught the attention of the international media, and not always in a positive way.

“Stern magazine, in Germany, wrote a story about the problems of Phuket and what should be fixed – including safety of tourists and their property.”

During a press conference this morning at the association’s bypass road office, Mr Ponganan told the media that the association was happy that the Minister of Tourism and Sports, Somsak Pureesrisak, and the DSI were “paying attention” to Phuket tourism, and co-operating with Phuket police, and Vice-Governors Jamroen Tippayapongtada and Dr Sommai Preechasilpa.

After the meeting, Mr Ponganan said, “For me, the assaults on tourists is the problem that will most affect Phuket’s image, but it depends on who you talk to. If you talk to wildlife foundations or those types of organisations, they may think that the cruel animal trade is the worst problem.

“Honestly, I can’t really confirm that the DSI will go all the way to fixing these problems, but I see problems that have already started to be resolved, so we need to support them.”

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-tourism-association-president-worries-assaults-on-tourists-affecting-island%E2%80%99s-image-42481.php?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

-- Phuket News 2013-10-21

[LivinginKata]

"Phuket Tourism Association President worries assaults on tourists affecting island’s image
He also said the association had not gotten enough support from the Phuket Provincial Government to help with the issues the island faces."

Just nothing else to add - TAT president says it all.

[soi41]

They read in a German magazine, what needed to be done in Phuket?? In other words they don't see what is going on in front of their eyes??

For starters, what about a police-force that actually enforced the law?

[drdoom6996]

I live in Pattaya, well Jomtien. I've been to Phuket once. I will never go again.

[Emdog]

“Stern magazine, in Germany, wrote a story about the problems of Phuket and what should be fixed – including safety of tourists and their property.” No, far too radical of an approach. Another bunch of farangs not understanding the "Thai way and Thai culture". Myself, when I want to get beaten up I always book a trip down there to get a "Phuket massage".

[Guest]

Nah, all the high quality tourists just love to become robbed and beaten by the uneducated thugs. There is no reason for any kind of action. It's all fine as this is part of the magic of the east.

[casindonet]

It's all talk-talk-talk....meetings-meetings-meetings. Nothing will ever change. Nothing to see here, move along.

[JoeThePoster]

Phuket Tourism Association

Is membership open to tourists? Maybe they can vote to elect the next president?

[Aussiescott]

“Honestly, I can’t really confirm that the DSI will go all the way to fixing these problems, but I see problems that have already started to be resolved, so we need to support them.”

Is he serious????? Is that the disclaimer to negate him from having to do anything or take responsibility just a little bit! What a f.ing joke!!!

off topic a bit:

IMO, because i see some poor bastard lying on the road in a bloody mess daily now its coming into high season, why don't they stop the cops from handing out 500baht fines to every farang that doesn't have a motorcycle license OR the better way, why dont they enforce the "renter" of said motorbikes to only hire to people that have a license.....now this will stop a major amount of accidents i see............ oh because then the renters wont be able to rip off the farang and the cops dont get their fine money, which will run into the millions by season end.

What ever happened to duty of care by these people? Shit i thought i was back in Oz for a second. lmao.

[stoli]

“Honestly, I can’t really confirm that the DSI will go all the way to fixing these problems, but I see problems that have already started to be resolved, so we need to support them.”

Is he serious????? Is that the disclaimer to negate him from having to do anything or take responsibility just a little bit! What a f.ing joke!!!

off topic a bit:

IMO, because i see some poor bastard lying on the road in a bloody mess daily now its coming into high season, why don't they stop the cops from handing out 500baht fines to every farang that doesn't have a motorcycle license OR the better way, why dont they enforce the "renter" of said motorbikes to only hire to people that have a license.....now this will stop a major amount of accidents i see............ oh because then the renters wont be able to rip off the farang and the cops dont get their fine money, which will run into the millions by season end.

What ever happened to duty of care by these people? Shit i thought i was back in Oz for a second. lmao.

Do they fine you in your home country for driving a vehicle without a license? When you pay a fine in your home country, do you accuse the police of keeping the fine? In the states, I get the ticket, I go to the courthouse, pay the fine, and walk away knowing that I deserved it. The same thing happens here, but they are, by the Thai Visa community, called corrupt police just lining their own pockets. Have you seen them actually putting the money in their pockets and going home with it, or are you just going along with the popular sport of believing everything your read?

[bunta71]

Honestly, I cant really confirm that the DSI will go all the way to fixing these problems, but I see problems that have already started to be resolved, so we need to support them.

Is he serious????? Is that the disclaimer to negate him from having to do anything or take responsibility just a little bit! What a f.ing joke!!!

off topic a bit:

IMO, because i see some poor bastard lying on the road in a bloody mess daily now its coming into high season, why don't they stop the cops from handing out 500baht fines to every farang that doesn't have a motorcycle license OR the better way, why dont they enforce the "renter" of said motorbikes to only hire to people that have a license.....now this will stop a major amount of accidents i see............ oh because then the renters wont be able to rip off the farang and the cops dont get their fine money, which will run into the millions by season end.

What ever happened to duty of care by these people? Shit i thought i was back in Oz for a second. lmao.

Do they fine you in your home country for driving a vehicle without a license? When you pay a fine in your home country, do you accuse the police of keeping the fine? In the states, I get the ticket, I go to the courthouse, pay the fine, and walk away knowing that I deserved it. The same thing happens here, but they are, by the Thai Visa community, called corrupt police just lining their own pockets. Have you seen them actually putting the money in their pockets and going home with it, or are you just going along with the popular sport of believing everything your read?

The police do not keep the money...the mansions they live in and the expensive cars are all Christmas and birthday presents. You should see the house two doors down from me...regular cop.

[EOB1948]

Thalk.... Thalk, ....Thalk, lip service to soothe the concerns of foreign tour operators is all this is.

Meanwhile folks flock to Thailand to visit and live, so really, it must have something everybody wants-

" Live in a brothel, and you're gonna get <deleted>*d. "

[timewilltell]

Honestly, I cant really confirm that the DSI will go all the way to fixing these problems, but I see problems that have already started to be resolved, so we need to support them.

Is he serious????? Is that the disclaimer to negate him from having to do anything or take responsibility just a little bit! What a f.ing joke!!!

off topic a bit:

IMO, because i see some poor bastard lying on the road in a bloody mess daily now its coming into high season, why don't they stop the cops from handing out 500baht fines to every farang that doesn't have a motorcycle license OR the better way, why dont they enforce the "renter" of said motorbikes to only hire to people that have a license.....now this will stop a major amount of accidents i see............ oh because then the renters wont be able to rip off the farang and the cops dont get their fine money, which will run into the millions by season end.

What ever happened to duty of care by these people? Shit i thought i was back in Oz for a second. lmao.

Do they fine you in your home country for driving a vehicle without a license? When you pay a fine in your home country, do you accuse the police of keeping the fine? In the states, I get the ticket, I go to the courthouse, pay the fine, and walk away knowing that I deserved it. The same thing happens here, but they are, by the Thai Visa community, called corrupt police just lining their own pockets. Have you seen them actually putting the money in their pockets and going home with it, or are you just going along with the popular sport of believing everything your read?

Yes I've seen it, experienced it and know it happens without a showdown of doubt. You either never leave your house, walk everywhere or have a blessed existence assuming you live here.

[timewilltell]

For what it is worth, what do you expect this guy todo? He is just a tourist association official with no power who is telling anyone who will listen what the problems are, that is bent police and a bent governor, bent patong mayor and bent everything in between.

Posters here are stoning the wrong guy.

[dundee48]

“Honestly, I can’t really confirm that the DSI will go all the way to fixing these problems, but I see problems that have already started to be resolved, so we need to support them.”

Is he serious????? Is that the disclaimer to negate him from having to do anything or take responsibility just a little bit! What a f.ing joke!!!

off topic a bit:

IMO, because i see some poor bastard lying on the road in a bloody mess daily now its coming into high season, why don't they stop the cops from handing out 500baht fines to every farang that doesn't have a motorcycle license OR the better way, why dont they enforce the "renter" of said motorbikes to only hire to people that have a license.....now this will stop a major amount of accidents i see............ oh because then the renters wont be able to rip off the farang and the cops dont get their fine money, which will run into the millions by season end.

What ever happened to duty of care by these people? Shit i thought i was back in Oz for a second. lmao.

Do they fine you in your home country for driving a vehicle without a license? When you pay a fine in your home country, do you accuse the police of keeping the fine? In the states, I get the ticket, I go to the courthouse, pay the fine, and walk away knowing that I deserved it. The same thing happens here, but they are, by the Thai Visa community, called corrupt police just lining their own pockets. Have you seen them actually putting the money in their pockets and going home with it, or are you just going along with the popular sport of believing everything your read?