Governor Sophon explained that he aspires to create a united Phuket family that can cooperate across all sectors to help further develop the island as a world-class tourist destination to drive the economy and provide a good quality of life for local residents.
Top of the list of priorities, he said, would be a smooth integration of relevant agencies to solve the two main challenges facing the island currently - namely problems relating to traffic congestion and flooding.
Governor Sophon and his wife Busadee Suwannarat, who now takes on the role of President of the Red Cross Society of Phuket, arrived at Provincial Hall at 8am this morning where they were afforded a warm welcome by Rewat Areerob, President of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization (PPAO), along with selected government officials and civil servants.
Governor Sophon chatted with the group before paying homage to the Royal Monument of His Majesty King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) on the grounds of Provincial Hall. Respects were also paid to the national flag of Thailand, raised on a flagpole nearby.
It was then down to business as a meeting with the PPAO covered topics such as finding a sustainable solution to the threat of flooding brought about by heavy rain, something witnessed as recently as Wednesday in Phuket Town where more than 42mm of rainfall within three hours left locals fearing flooding.
The ongoing challenge of traffic congestion that has been suffocating parts of the island recently was also discussed, as was the proposal of developing public mass transit networks to alleviate the former issue.
The development of soft power was also part of discussions, with the award-winning Phuket Peranakan Festival cited as an appropriate example of how this can benefit the province economically and culturally to provide a good standard of life for the island’s residents.
Following the conclusion of the meeting, further homage and respects were paid by Governor Sophon and his wife at monuments to Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Krom Phraya Damrong Rajanubhab, and Phra Buddha Thamrong Ming Muang. Additional homage was paid to the Navarat Bophit Buddha at the Phuket Governor’s Office on the 4th floor of Provincial Hall.
Governor Sophon’s afternoon consisted of numerous meetings with heads of governement agencies to discuss development plans for Phuket, a spokesman said.