The meeting, held at Phuket Provincial Hall on Thursday (Apr 17) and chaired by Governor Sophon Suwannarat, brought together members of the ‘Joint Public and Private Sector Committee to Develop and Solve Economic Problems in Phuket’.
Among the key reports presented was an update on the local homeless situation, delivered by the Phuket Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office.
According to the data, 180 individuals used the Phuket Homeless Protection Center in 2024. Of those, 103 were male and 77 female. Seventy-two were originally from Phuket, nine from Bangkok and surrounding areas, and 99 from other provinces.
Officials at the meeting reported a range of outcomes for those assisted:
- 68 individuals were reunited with families in their home communities
- 33 refused assistance and opted to withdraw from the program
- 16 were sent for medical treatment
- 15 were referred under specific legal frameworks
- 11 remain under active assistance
- 4 were transferred to homeless shelters
- 19 were sent to workplaces
- 7 escaped assistance
- 1 was fined, and 6 received official warnings
For the year 2025, the Phuket Homeless Shelter recorded 90 users ‒ 58 men and 32 women. Of these, 17 were registered in Phuket, one in Bangkok and its vicinity and 72 from other provinces.
Outcomes for this group included:
- 37 reunited with family
- 13 refused further support
- 4 received hospital treatment
- 3 were referred under specific laws
- 12 are currently receiving help
- 4 were sent to shelters
- 7 were placed in workplaces
- 6 escaped
- 2 were fined, and 1 received a warning
Officials said the data will help shape future strategies to address homelessness and support vulnerable populations as part of broader economic development efforts, noted an official report of the meeting.