Anutin landed at Phuket Airport around 3:30pm and immediately attended a meeting at a private office on the fifth floor of the airport complex.
He was joined by Orasit Samphantharat, Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration, Chaiwat Chuenkosoom, Director-General of the Department of Community Development, Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat, along with selected representatives from government.
Anutin requested an overiew report on the island’s overall performance in accordance with the policies of the government and the Ministry of Interior, according to reports by the Public Relations department of Phuket.
Governor Sophon summarised that ensuring the safety of Phuet residents and tourists was of the highest importance, including an ongoing crackdown on the issuance and use of illegal drugs in the province.
He further explained the care and maintenance of public areas was also a top priority for authorities in Phuket, adding that checks on land title documents are now being carried out to ensure they are accurate and no infringement on public land by private homes or businesses is occurring.
This policy has been implemented following two high profile cases of late, Governor Sophon explained, namely the removal of an illegal sunbed operator from Laem Singh Beach on Mar 6 and the incident involving Swiss expat Urs Fehr who allegedly attacked a female doctor near his rented villa at a beach in Yamu on Feb 24. The alledged victim was stting on steps that Fehr claimed were on his private property but, on inspection, transpired to be on public land and have since been removed.
Governor Sophon further explained that the assult claim in the latter case is currently under review in the prosecutor’s court and the land dispute is also under official investigation by relevant authorities. Governor Sophon also confirmed that Green Elephant Wildlife foundation, registered by Fehr, is to be dissolved.
Finally, Governor Sophon explained procedures to ensure the safety of operators and customers at 123 service establishments across five zones in Patong that are permitted to remain open for business until 4am.
Anutin stated how his visit was necessary as the recent spate of high-profile events had not cast a positive image on Phuket and were seemingly not in line with the laws stipulated by the government.
Phuket is a major tourist destination within Thailand, for many the first port of call on landing in the country, which generates huge revenues and it is therefore important that affairs are in order to build confidence among tourists and local residents alike.
Anutin emphasised how important applying and adhering to national government law is to ensure that no wrong doing is committed and Phuket’s positive image can therefore be maintained.
Anutin was scheduled to deliver a press conference at the airport at 4:15pm before heading to Kamala Beach to meet tourists, business owners and local residents.
At 10pm, Anutin is to join a briefing at the tourist security system ‘Command and Control Center’ at the Bangla police box in Patong, before taking a tour of the busy nightlife street.
Anutin is to spend the night in Phuket before flying back to Bangkok at 10am tomorrow (Mar 15).