The visit came as Phuket continues to struggle with poor infrastructure development, despite a plethora of promises and press releases from the Bangkok-based central government that they are catering to the island’s needs.
Korn Chatikavanij, an Oxford graduate and a former finance minister, while in Phuket last weekend expressed strong support for Phuket to transition into a special local government organisation.
“I agree 100% that Phuket should become a special local government organisation. The people here are ready to manage their own province and use the budget for local development, Mr Korn told The Phuket News.
“Phuket has the geography, the economy and the readiness to govern itself ‒ just like the Bangkok model, which elects its own governor,” he explained.
“Relying on policies from the central government creates delays and negligence. Those far from the local issues don’t understand them the way people here do. A special local government structure would allow Phuket to elect its own leaders and control a budget to directly address local problems,” he continued.
“Currently, Phuket generates the highest income among provinces, yet it cannot fully use the taxes it collects. Most of that revenue goes to the central government to support other provinces. That’s understandable, but it’s also time to seriously discuss how much Phuket should retain to fund its own development,” he said.
“Issues like waste management, flooding, traffic and public transport have gone unresolved for years. Even expanding the airport, building water sources and medical facilities often relies on the private sector.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was the people of Phuket who proposed the Phuket Sandbox model ‒ proving how capable the private sector of this province is. But without political power and budget control, ideas can’t be fully implemented,” Mr Korn noted.
“Becoming a special local government organisation would unlock Phuket’s ability to solve its own problems and move faster. I believe in Phuket’s potential, its unity and the shared understanding of what’s best for the province,” he said.
“If Phuket develops, Thailand benefits. Tourism income from here is distributed nationwide. Giving Phuket more power to decide how that income is spent will lead to better, more efficient outcomes ‒ not just for Phuket, but for the whole country,” he concluded.
HOPE
Phuket’s private sector is renewing calls for the island to gain special local government status, warning that without structural reform, future development will remain stalled.
Bhummikitti Ruktaengam, former President of the Phuket Tourist Association and now President of the Sustainable Tourism Development Foundation, says decentralisation is essential to unlock Phuket’s potential and that continuing under the current system offers “even less hope”.
Mr Bhummikitti told the Phuket News the idea has long been backed by Phuket’s private sector for decades. “Most of the private sector in Phuket have proposed it all along,” he said.
The proposed shift to a special local government organisation, a designation that would grant Phuket greater autonomy in financial and administrative matters.
“Phuket should be able to use the budget it receives from the central government more effectively,” he said.
“Right now, the existing service mechanisms simply don’t work. The current system needs to change in two key areas: management and money,” he explained.
“However, both of those areas still require central government approval. That’s the difficulty,” he added.
“We can’t move or progress anything without submitting requests for both money and management,” he noted.
Mr Bhummikitti noted that such a change would not guarantee that Phuket would resolve all its issues, but emphasised that the current system is clearly holding the island back.
“I can’t say becoming a special local government organisation will solve everything, but continuing with the current system will definitely make it harder for Phuket to move forward,” he said.
One major issue, he explained, is the inefficiency caused by limited local budgets and overdependence on central government decisions.
“Sometimes it takes too long to wait for approvals from Bangkok, and the local needs are not always aligned with what ministries see as important,” he said.
He pointed to infrastructure projects as an example, “What locals need might not be what the Phuket Highway Office prioritises. But they have the budget and the authority, so they go ahead ‒ even if the project doesn’t meet local needs.”
While it is still unclear whether Phuket will be better to become a special local government, and if so, who would lead it, what system would be used to select the governor and how it would be managed. He noted.
Nonetheless, Mr Bhummikitti emphasised that without a new system in place, Phuket’s future development remains at risk. “If Phuket continues to be managed in the same way, it will be really difficult,” he concluded.
DRAFT FOR FUTURE
Kongsak Khoopongsakorn, President of the Phuket Chamber of Commerce, presented a proposal to a visiting Senate subcommittee calling for Phuket to be granted special local government status.
The Senate delegation, led by Apinan Phuekphong, Fourth Vice Chairman of the Committee on Local Administration and Chairman of the Subcommittee, visited Phuket to study local governance and listen to proposals for reform.
Mr Kongsak highlighted Phuket’s long-standing desire for enhanced self-management, citing limitations in the current system regarding budget allocation and administrative powers.
“Phuket should be able to use its income and budget more effectively, rather than relying on slow and restrictive central government processes,” he said.
He stressed the need for change through a governance model similar to Bangkok, where a locally elected governor has the power and resources to implement projects in line with local needs.
“Special local government means decentralising power, allowing Phuket to elect a governor who can manage money and push forward projects that truly benefit the island,” he said.
Mr Kongsak noted that the private sector has long worked on drafting proposals for Phuket’s special status, including contributions from the People’s Party [the draft started since Move Forward Party], and a new draft developed in cooperation with academics, private organisations and current Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat.
Although previous attempts to push the draft into Parliament failed due to political resistance or changes in government during Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
“We now aim to resubmit it. This time, the private sector plans to gather at least 10,000 signatures to support the initiative, demonstrating strong public backing,” Mr Kongsak said.
“Even if the draft does not pass, having it debated in Parliament is already progress. Some political parties already support decentralisation and believe provinces that are ready, like Phuket, should move forward,” he added.
He emphasised that decentralisation would allow Phuket to retain a greater share of its tax revenue.
Phuket generates approximately B18 billion in tax revenue each year, yet receives only about B8 billion in return or only 40% that we get each year,” he noted.
“If we were allocated just 20% more, which is an additional B3bn to B4bn, we could invest in critical infrastructure like light rail and road networks without having to rely on central government approval,” he said.
Mr Kongsak also cited past crises, like the 2004 tsunami and the COVID-19 pandemic, as examples of the inefficiency of waiting for central government intervention.
“Every time there’s a problem, we wait months for help. We need a system that lets us act immediately,” he said.
He acknowledged concerns about local elections and potential issues like vote-buying, but maintained that empowering local voters to choose capable leaders based on policy rather than popularity would lead to better outcomes.
“I think it’s something we need to take a chance on and learn about. The new generation understands this issue and knows that the same old leaders doing things the same old way won’t get their support anymore,” he added.
Additionally, Mr Kongsak called for a more unified administrative system, arguing that municipalities should operate under the governor’s authority to prevent scattered and inconsistent local development.
“We have been stuck with the same system for decades. It’s time for Phuket to move forward with a new model that gives us the authority to solve our own problems,” he concluded.