Phuket Town seeks ‘special admin’ status
Phuket Town Mayor Saroj Angkanapilas has presented to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin a formal request for ‘Nakhon Phuket’ (‘Phuket City Municipality’) to be granted special administration status so that it can better provide for its residents and adequately further develop the town.
Mr Saroj led a delegation to Government House to deliver the formal request on Jan 19, reported national state news agency NNT.
The letter urged the transformation of Phuket City Municipality into a special local government organisation. The letter, presented at the Naree Samoson Building at Government House, was received by Prime Minister Settha, who in turn promptly assigned the request to Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsuthin to review.
Deputy Prime Minister Somsak is also Chairman of the Decentralisation to Local Administrative Organisations Committee. Joining Mr Somsak in receiving the quest were Mongkolchai Somudorn, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office, and Anu Yaemsaeng, Director of the Office of the Decentralisation to Local Administrative Organisations Committee (DLOC).
The DLOC operates under the Office of the Permanent Secretary, at the Prime Minister’s Office.
In addition to submitting the formal request, Mayor Saroj presented a comprehensive research report, including a management research project and spatial development
Deputy Prime Minister Somsak expressed support for the initiative. He conveyed the policy of the DLOC, and emphasised the potential establishment of special forms of local government organisations in specific areas or cities, each tasked with a unique mission and powers tailored to their distinctive characteristics.
“This initiative not only addresses the city’s immediate problems but also positions it strategically in dimensions of care, craft and culture, and creativity. As the wheels of transformation are set in motion, Phuket City looks toward a future where it can more aptly respond to the needs and expectations of its residents,” Mayor Saroj said.