The meeting, held at Phuket Provincial Hall, was led by Pol Maj Gen Chatchawan Saengphet, Chairman of the Committee. Leading the Phuket representatives was Phuket Vice Governor Ronnarong Thippasiri.
Officials provided an overview of ongoing efforts to combat corruption and address risks in areas such as procurement and the management of natural resources, said an official report of the meeting.
Participants included representatives from government agencies, the private sector, civil society, and the media. Among them were the Phuket Provincial Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission, Region 8 Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission, and the Phuket Provincial Police, along with representatives from all 19 local administrative organisations in Phuket, as well as the Phuket Anti-Corruption Sufficiency Economy Club.
Mr Ronnarong outlined the unique challenges facing Phuket, a province with a population exceeding 1.25 million, including more than 800,000 tourists and unregistered residents. He emphasised that Phuket’s economy relies heavily on tourism, which contributes 92.9% of its income, generating over B380 billion annually ‒ ranking it second nationwide, outside Bangkok.
Phuket’s development strategy is built on collaboration across all sectors, under the framework ‘private sector leads, government sector supports, civil society sector fulfills’, Mr Ronnarong said.
The province has adopted a 20-year development plan (2023–2042) with the vision of becoming "a new economic city based on sustainable development.", Mr Ronnnarong continued.
The plan prioritises environmental sustainability, economic equality, and the creation of a balanced economy driven by diverse industries, he noted.
Pol Maj Gen Chatchawan praised Phuket’s potential and its decentralized approach to governance, which fosters collaboration and citizen participation, the official report said.
He highlighted the importance of involving children and youth in anti-corruption efforts to promote long-term cultural change.
“Phuket is a model of readiness in the fight against corruption and misconduct. Its collaborative efforts show promise in sustaining transparency and enhancing confidence among visitors,” he said with no specific details of Phuket’s anti-corruption efforts noted in the report.