Phuket Governor meets the consuls
AFTER JUST OVER TWO weeks in office as the new Governor of Phuket, Sophon Suwannarat on Oct 18 met with Phuket consuls and honorary consuls from 27 countries to discuss issues focussing on the safety of tourists.
Among those present for the meeting, held at Phuket Provincial Hall, were Phuket Provincial Police Commander Pol Maj Gen Sermphan Sirikong; Samerjit Limlikit, head Phuket Provincial Temporary Passport Office (under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs); and Thaneth Tantipiriyakit, President of the Phuket Tourist Association.
The first order of business was to welcome three representatives to their positions as honorary consuls: Somboon Jirayus as honorary consul for Sweden; Sasit Thavornwongwongse as honorary consul for Brazil; and Nutthaphong Phathakiatpaisan, honorary consul for Mongolia.
According to an official report of the meeting, the key issue discussed was safety and security measures for foreigners in Phuket and building confidence for tourists and foreigners in Phuket.
Governor Sophon said that the government had given importance to Phuket province and pointed out that new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin had already visited the island twice. The government will push for income generation from tourism and aimed to open the door to receive tourists by providing convenience, he said.
A crackdown to prevent exploitation of tourists was underway and enhanced security measures were being rolled out to create confidence and impress tourists in terms of life and property, he added.
“Important principles of tourist care is to create safety, convenience and attraction, with integration from all sectors,” Gov Sophon said.
“Tourist areas are to be organised, including providing various facilities to support tourists of every group, every country, every nationality.
In preparing to take care of safety for important tourists, intelligent AI will be pushed in public health. Accidents and road safety is a policy that must be pushed to happen as soon as possible,” he added, according to the official report.
Pol Maj Gen Sermphan said the Phuket Provincial Police had security measures in place at Phuket International Airport and the Phuket Check Point at Tha Chatchai, “and at various piers and beach areas, which are important tourist attractions”.
“Readiness has been prepared at every point to take care of the safety of tourists. In addition, in order to build confidence for tourists, the Phuket Provincial Police have launched a crackdown on crime. We have also conducted incidentresponse training, such as at the Central shopping mall,” he added. The Phuket News