1,881 more people register as living in Phuket

PHUKET: Between February 21 and March 20, 1,881 people registered with the government as living in Phuket, bringing the island’s official population to 313,955.

Provincial Chief Administrative Officer (Palad) Piya Bharatasilpin reported the increase to Phuket Vice-Governor Worapoj Ratthasima yesterday.

Part of the increase is thought to be in response to the Governor calling for island residents to register themselves on Phuket house registration forms so that the provincial government will receive larger budgets from the central government.

Of the new registrations, 550 were in Muang District, 311 in Thalang District and 1,020 in Kathu District.

Also contributing to the rise were 211 babies being born during the period, compared with 91 deaths being reported.

Between January 31 and February 20, some 3,200 people registered with the government as living in Phuket.

As part of the government registration campaign, the province is advertising in local Thai-language newspapers and TV and radio, as well as conducting community education programs through village leaders.