Thailand seeks solution to Phuket tourism crisis

Phuket's mayor wants to transform the city into a special administrative organization to save it from the tourism crisis.

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said he was aware of the mayor's proposal sent to him and said on Thursday, April 18, that he was ready to consider it.

Phuket, one of Thailand's most important tourist cities, generates more than 300 billion baht in tourism revenue and has set a target of 400 billion baht for this year.

The goal should be achieved as the island faces a large influx of tourists that it is struggling to manage.

The capacity of existing services has been tested, with airports, flights, hotel rooms and road traffic all congested.

See: Phuket Island in southern Thailand is overwhelmed by its success

Solving the problems associated with the influx of tourists

Taxi truck (Songthaew) in phuket. Photo: Fitri Agung

The city is unable to address many of the current problems due to inconsistent regulations.

Phuket Mayor Saroj Angkanapilas said the municipality had sent a letter to the prime minister requesting it become a special administrative organization or "special city."

This request is initially only for the area of ​​the Phuket municipality, and not for the whole island which is also a province.

See: Phuket, the complete guide, what you need to know before you go

According to him, the current administrative system applies the same regulations and laws nationwide, which makes Phuket inflexible, delays problem solving and lacks urban development opportunities to compete with major tourist cities around the world.

"Resort cities in many countries are far ahead in their development, so Phuket will lose its competitive advantage if it continues to use the same administrative system," Sarot said.

"Decentralization is also one of the policies of this government that was announced in Parliament," he added.

According to the Phuket mayor, the government currently allocates funds based on the number of people registered in the house register, which is more than 70,000 people, or about 50 million baht per year.

There is also an additional subsidy of about 9 to 10 million baht, which is not enough to solve the various problems in the province.

In addition, Phuket Municipality has a transient population of 2 to 3 times the registered population, and there are also a large number of tourists, which leads to various problems such as garbage, sewage treatment, traffic jams and flooding.

Srettha Thavisin said he had not yet received the letter detailing the mayor's proposal, but once he receives it, he will review it and take further action after gathering opinions from all sectors.

He added that the government recognizes the importance of Phuket as a significant province in terms of economic development.

Making Phuket a special city

Tourists and traders in the Phuket Town night market.

The new bill (Phuket City Administration Act BE…) consists of 156 articles to tackle urgent problems such as waste management and traffic congestion.

It also provides for new duties and powers by enacting 17 additional laws to manage the city in an integrated manner.

According to the proposal, Phuket Town will not fall under any authority of the ministry, similar to the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) law.

The CEE committee has the power to manage the three provinces of Chonburi, Rayong and Chachoengsao without constraints from other authorities.

The 17 additional laws cover:

• Promotion and investment;
• Foreign workers;
• Foreign companies;
• Immigration;
• Tourism and travel guides;
• Promotion and quality of the environment;
• Urban planning;
• Factories;
• Land transport;
• Land transport (without vehicle registration);
• Water management;
• Disaster management;
• Management of the old town;
• The public transport system;
• Traffic management;
• Management of the residential population;
• Land use management.

The structure and administration of Phuket City would be placed under the supervision of the Phuket Special City Supervisory Committee, which would report directly to the government.

The mayor of Phuket City will be directly elected by the population for a 4-year term.

If Phuket Special City has a budget and regulations that allow for easier and faster management in various areas, Phuket City will be able to compete with cities around the world.

See also:

Phuket welcomes an increasing number of cruise ships

Thailand cracks down on illegal Russian companies in Phuket

Hunt for 'bad foreigners' in Thailand: 400 criminal cases opened in Phuket

Source: Khaosod English