SPECIAL GOVERNOR VOICES SUPPORT FOR PHUKET ‘SPECIAL ADMIN’ STATUS
Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat has voiced his support for Phuket to be given ‘special administrative status’, marking a milestone for the decades-long call by the island’s leading figures for Phuket to have more autonomy in order to address the island’s most pressing issues, including traffic, water supply, wastewater and overdevelopment.
Governor Sophon announced his support for the move during an address delivered at the 2024 Annual General Meeting of the Phuket Chamber of Commerce (PCC) held at the Phuket Merlin Hotel on Apr 25.
He outlined his vision for the future governance of the province. expressing his support for transitioning Phuket’s governance model to a special administrative status, like that in effect in Pattaya and Bangkok.
The event, attended by key figures including PCC President Kongsak Koophongsakorn, Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO) President Rewat Areerob and other prominent local leaders, marked a significant moment in Phuket’s political landscape. As Governor of Phuket, Mr Sophon is a Bangkokappointed official.
Governor Sophon praised the PCC as a pivotal force in fostering collaboration between the private sector and government agencies. He emphasised the chamber’s vital role in driving economic and social development in the province, highlighting its success in tackling various challenges alongside governmental initiatives.
BUDGETS
In advocating for a shift in governance, Governor Sophon highlighted the pressing need for Phuket to access greater fiscal autonomy. Currently constrained by a limited budget, he argued that the province’s development potential is stifled. Drawing parallels with the administrative structures of Pattaya and Bangkok, he proposed a reformed model whereby Phuket could assume greater control over taxation and budget allocation.
Under the proposed framework, Governor Sophon suggested the establishment of an elected provincial governor, empowered to oversee strategic management while also advocating for a revised system of budget allocation. He proposed a new mechanism by which a portion of provincial GDP and tax revenues would be reinvested locally, fostering healthy competition among provinces to drive economic growth.
The Governor also announced significant infrastructure projects aimed at addressing pressing challenges facing Phuket.
These included the construction of four additional traffic routes, as reviewed by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin one week earlier, on Apr 19, as well as initiatives to expand traffic lanes and improve water infrastructure, including tapping into water resources from the Cheow Lan Lake in Surat Thani to mitigate longstanding water shortages.
Following his visit to Phuket last month, PM Srettha announced with a blanket statement that Phuket in the future will be supplied water from the Cheow Lan Lake in Surat Thani.
PM Srettha pointed out that the government was now looking at spending some B16bn on Phuket development projects, including resolving the recurring threats of water shortages by having water piped in from Cheow Lan.
“Relevant agencies have been given directions to bring water from Cheow Lan Reservoir to be used in Krabi, Phang Nga and Phuket. In the future, Phuket residents will not lack water to use,” PM Srettha assured.
However, no further details of how and when water supply from Cheow Lan were provided.
“Regarding wastewater and garbage management, I would like to strictly enforce the law. Do not allow waste to be released into the sea. and public water sources. We strive to make Phuket a livable city. It is a destination that people from every corner of the world want to move to live and visit, but if the environment is not good they won’t want to,” PM Srettha added.
ECONOMIC FORCE
The proposal to transition Phuket to a special administrative status represents a paradigm shift in the province’s governance structure, with potential implications for its economic growth and development trajectory.
While PM Srettha was in Phuket, Wirintra Paphakityotphat, head of the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) Region 11 branch, which represents Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi, presented a list of four formal requests to the Prime Minister ‒ the first of which was to permit Phuket become a ‘Special Administrative Zone’.
The request was for Phuket to receive a budget of not less than 1-5% of the revenue generated by Phuket’s service and tourism sector that is currently handed over to the foreign (75%), contributing to central government. a tourism income of at least
The Department of Tourism, B38bn, Ms Wirintra noted. under the Ministry of In response, PM Srettha Tourism and Sports, would be noted, “It would be necessary responsible for ensuring any to consider whether it requirements were complied is needed, and exactly what with, Ms Wirintra noted. would be meant by a ‘special
According to the Ministry economic zone’?... Maybe it’s of Tourism and Sports, Phuket inappropriate… We want to welcomed 11.3mn visitors in stimulate tourism, but we 2023, marking a significant must consider its suitability increase since the end of the and we must request specific pandemic. Most visitors werend details first.”
‘PHUKET MODEL’
During his visit to Phuket PM Settha, joined by Acting Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Police Pol Gen Kittirat Panphet, met with local consuls in Phuket to explain the ‘Phuket Model’ of law enforcement.
In a bid to enhance safety and law enforcement for tourists, Prime Minister Settha Thavisin has directed the Royal Thai Police to develop a comprehensive strategy known as the ‘Phuket Model’, said an official report of the meeting issued late on Apr 23.
The initiative, initially announced on Apr 21 during a meeting at the Banyan Tree Phuket hotel in Cherng Talay, aims to address illegal activities and ensure the well-being of visitors in popular tourist destinations, the report noted.
The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Thavisin, saw the participation of key figures including Phuket Vice
Governor Norasak Suksomboon, and other high-ranking police officials, as well as consuls from 12 countries and representatives from various governmental and private agencies.
Pol Gen Kittirat outlined the measures to prevent illegal activities by foreign visitors in Phuket, including the establishment of a comprehensive database to inform tourists of prohibited actions, collaboration with relevant authorities to combat foreign criminal organisations and strict enforcement of laws governing foreign car rental operators.
The “holistic approach”, known as the “Phuket Model”, aims to elevate tourism standards and ensure the safety of visitors, Pol Gen Kittirat said.
Acknowledging the importance of law enforcement in maintaining stability and fostering economic growth, PM Srettha urged cooperation from all stakeholders.