The minister’s visit highlighted several key developments aimed at boosting tourist confidence in one of Phuket’s most iconic nightlife districts, including the installation of CCTV systems, organised transport management and enhanced safety protocols, said an official report of Minister Sorawong’s visit.
During his inspection, Mr Sorawong received briefings from local authorities on measures currently in place along Soi Bangla, which included the installation of 24 CCTV cameras across the area, with nine placed strategically in Soi Bangla. Officials also demonstrated the use of QR codes at 12 tourist assistance checkpoints, which have been active in over 700 operations between May 2025 and January this year.
According to the official report, transport in Patong has also been overhauled, apparently with 24 bus stops, designated parking areas, pick-up and drop-off zones in Patong, including five located near Bangla Rd.
The reorganised transport system, carried out with Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) and Patong Municipality, includes, and pedestrian crossings to reduce traffic congestion and conflict between traditional and app-based transport services, said the report.
Traffic police are now deployed in three key zones during peak hours ‒ 6pm to 8pm when tourists arrive, and 2am to 4am when nightlife venues close. They are supported by digital radios and CCTV systems to improve traffic flow, the Minister was told.
Security measures have also been stepped up, with entertainment venues subject to random checks for illegal items and routine urine testing. Patong Municipality, in coordination with Phuket Provincial Police and Patong Police Station, has installed AI-equipped CCTV cameras with facial recognition technology linked to national criminal databases.
In addition, retractable fences have been installed at both ends of Soi Bangla to control access and support its designation as a Walking Street.
Mr Sorawong also witnessed a lifeguard demonstration simulating the rescue of a drowning tourist and visited the CCTV control centre operated by Patong Municipality. He gave words of encouragement to frontline staff and met with local business operators and tourists to hear their feedback.
“Phuket is not just a tourist destination. It must be a safe, trustworthy place that welcomes visitors from around the world,” the minister said. He urged all relevant agencies to work systematically and seriously under the Phuket Model, which he confirmed would serve as a blueprint for safety measures in other tourist destinations across Thailand.
Local Agencies, Concerns from Private Sector
Earlier in the day, Mr Sorawong chaired a meeting at the Royal Phuket City Hotel to review Phuket’s tourism safety measures and discuss future policy directions. He was joined by Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat, who gave an overview of the province’s tourism situation, including safety services and recent initiatives.
Representatives from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Tourist Police and Phuket Provincial Police presented their progress on the Phuket Model and the ongoing ‘Bangla Sandbox’ safety project. Members of the private sector also took part, sharing their insights and recommendations for improving safety and sustainability in the tourism industry.
From the private sector, Nanthida Atiseth, Vice President of International Marketing at the Phuket Tourist Association, reported a 103% increase in tourist arrivals from Jan 1 to July 31, 2025. Israeli tourist arrivals rose by 162%, while visitors from China and Hong Kong dropped significantly. July also saw an 11.9% decrease in flights, partly due to cancellations caused by unrest in Bangkok.
Tourist surveys revealed their top concerns were overcrowding during high season, traffic congestion, and marijuana use in public areas. However, tourists praised Phuket’s fast immigration process, scenic beaches and islands, local food, and the variety of accommodation available.
Kongsak Khoophongsakorn, President of the Phuket Chamber of Commerce, called for an increase in tourist police numbers, noting that Phuket currently has only 50 tourist police officers ‒ short of the 70 needed to support the 14 million tourists visiting each year. He also recommended tighter regulation of car rental businesses and improved water safety.
On the health front, Dr Supalak La-ongpetch, Deputy Director of Medical Affairs at Vachira Phuket Hospital, proposed requiring all tourists to have health insurance before being issued visas. This would reduce strain on the national budget and ensure visitors can access proper medical care.
Thanusak Phuengdet, Honorary Consul of Hungary in Phuket, encouraged the government to support ‘teqball’ ‒ a new sport blending table tennis and football ‒ as a tourism promotion tool. Teqball is scheduled to be part of the next Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
Meanwhile, Bhummikitti Ruktaengam revealed that Phuket is preparing to host several major international events, including the Thailand Biennale 2025, the Global Sustainable Tourism Conference (GSTC) 2026, and the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship 2025, which will take place from Aug 22 to Sept 7 ‒ the first time Thailand has hosted this world-class competition.
Mr Sorawong emphasised the government’s commitment to maintaining Thailand’s image as a safe and welcoming country, especially in Phuket, which remains one of the nation’s key tourism hubs.
“I am ready to act as a facilitator between agencies to ensure better coordination, with safety and confidence among tourists as our top priorities,” he said.
He also praised police and volunteers for their effective response in recent public safety incidents, which helped prevent loss of life and property.
The meeting was hailed as an important step in strengthening confidence among Thai and international tourists under the campaign goal of “Safe, Impressive, and Sustainable Tourism”.
Weeding out cannabis woes
During the minister’s visit, Phuket MP Chalermpong Saengdee submitted a formal letter urging the government to address growing concerns over the spread of cannabis shops across the province, citing their potential impact on Phuket’s image as a quality tourist destination.
Following Thailand’s decriminalisation of cannabis in 2022, the number of cannabis outlets in Phuket has surged to more than 1,200. However, MP Chalermpong warned of a lack of clear legal frameworks governing cannabis use, especially in tourist areas, which has led to confusion about consumption, odour control and age restrictions.
He noted that while some tourists may be attracted to cannabis tourism, many visitors from countries such as China, Singapore and Japan still view cannabis as illegal, leading to discomfort and safety concerns. This has negatively affected the image of Phuket as a family-friendly destination and could deter high-spending segments such as families, the elderly, and group travellers, MP Chalermpong said.
MP Chalermpong also raised concerns over the mental health impact on children and youth exposed to cannabis use, as well as the burden on public health systems dealing with cannabis-related psychiatric issues.
He called on the Tourism Minister to consider regulatory measures such as strict licensing, designated cannabis zones, clearer advertising rules, and stronger enforcement to separate cannabis-related activities from mainstream tourist areas.
While acknowledging that cannabis tourism has niche potential, MP Chalermpong stressed that long-term planning is needed to protect both public health and the quality image of Thailand’s tourism sector.