Mr Supoj’s visit was part of an official inspection of the Andaman Coast Southern Provinces. The visit, part of Inspection Area 6, aimed to assess progress on key government and ministry initiatives for fiscal year 2025, said an official report of his tour.
Mr Supoj was welcomed back to the island by Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat and Samawit Suphanphai, who is one of the current Phuket Vice Governors.
Since leaving the island, Mr Supoj’s career has been fast-tracked. He was transferred from Phuket in 2020 to become a Vice Governor of Pathum Thani, on the outskirts of Bangkok.
He was then promoted to Governor of Phang Nga Province, where he served until as recently as last year, leading the tsunami-remembrance event in Phang Nga for 2023. He has since being promoted again, to the position of Inspector-General of the Ministry of Interior, under Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul.
Following the official welcome, a comprehensive meeting was held at Phuket Provincial Hall. Representatives from local administrative organizations and 26 state enterprises, including the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO), Phuket City Municipality and Kathu Municipality, joined the discussion to report on ongoing projects and respond to questions.
Key issues discussed during the meeting included:
- Ao Chalong Pier Project: Progress updates on this significant infrastructure initiative led by the PPAO.
- Landslide Prevention: Efforts to enhance safety for local communities in high-risk areas.
- Illegal Hotels: Addressing unauthorised accommodations that impact tourism development.
- Budget Disbursement: Ensuring funds are allocated and spent as planned.
- Tourist Safety: Enhancing safety measures on land and at sea to protect visitors.
- Tsunami Preparedness: Assessing the readiness of the tsunami warning center to safeguard residents and tourists.
- Digital Nomad Tourism: Promoting Phuket as a destination for creative and remote work tourism.
Mr Supoj emphasised the importance of collaboration among all agencies to position Phuket as a world-class tourist destination that is safe, convenient and sustainable. He highlighted the need for integration and coordination to achieve these goals effectively, said the official report.
The inspection underscored Phuket’s role as a key player in Thailand’s tourism and development strategy, reaffirming the government’s commitment to enhancing the island’s infrastructure, safety, and appeal for visitors and residents alike, said the report.
Mr Supoj yesterday afternoon visited Chalong Pier and surveyed the site of the deadly landslide in Kata that killed 13 people in August this year.
At Chalong Pier, Mr Supoj reviewed the ‘Smart Pier’ system and the tsunami warning tower, said another official report.
Joining Mr Supoj were Phuket Marine Chief Natchapong Pranit and Prasert Yotharak, Director of the PPAO’s Transportation Affairs Division.
Recent upgrades to Chalong Pier included the relocation of ticketing services to a “state-of-the-art passenger building” (sice) equipped with face-scanning technology.
The system records data for all users passing through the pier, improving safety and enabling authorities to track passengers in the event of a water accident, the report explained.
Chalong Pier serves as a key hub for trips to popular islands such as Koh Hei, Koh Racha, and Koh Phi Phi, as well as sunset cruises, with approximately 40,000 daily passengers and over 70 tour companies using the pier during peak seasons like the New Year, the report noted.
Mr Supoj and his team then proceeded to the Big Buddha Viewpoint (called “Wat Phra Yai” in the official report) to assess the damage caused by the Aug 23 landslide.
Officials from the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (DDPM), the Phuket Provincial Forestry Center and the Phuket Provincial Public Works and Town & Country Planning Office briefed Mr Supoj and his team on the situation, claimed the official report.
Discussions focused on sustainable recovery measures, prioritising public safety and long-term disaster prevention strategies while preserving natural resources, the report said.
The visit highlights the government’s commitment to maintaining safety standards, protecting the environment, and ensuring a positive experience for both residents and tourists during the busy holiday period, the report also claimed.
The report made no mention of any officials, in Phuket or Bangkok, making any public announcements into any progress into any investigation, if an investigation is actually ongoing, into the deaths of the 13 people killed by the landslide, widely believed to have been caused by illegal construction at the Big Buddha Viewpoint in order to accommodate more tourists.
The silence by officials continues despite a major press conference led by Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat on Dec 20, and despite the deadly landslide reportedly being one of the key topics of conversation between Governor Sophon and Mr Supoj yesterday.