Cabinet to get a taste of Phuket

PHUKET TOWN: Phuket Governor CEO Pongpayome Vasaputi is preparing to lobby Cabinet ministers with a taste of Phuket culture in the form of batik shirts and a feast of Phuket food. Members of Cabinet will arrive on Sunday for the meeting at the Phuket Arcadia Resort in Karon, to be attended by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Phuket Governor CEO Pongpayome Vasaputi. The top-level meeting is being held to discuss how the Central Government can help Phuket’s tourism industry recover from the effects of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) as well as projects affecting the long-term development of Phuket. The ministers will be presented with locally-made batik shirts that are gaining fame through the nationwide One Tambon, One Product project. “Will give all the ministers batik shirts. The local people will be happy if the ministers wear them while they’re here,” said Gov Pongpayome. On Sunday night, the ministers will be treated to a feast of Phuket food at the resort. Speaking of more practical matters, Gov Pongpayome asked for police to control traffic and provide security, and for an emergency ambulance to be on hand at the resort during the Cabinet’s stay. In addition, the local branch of the Telecommunications Organization of Thailand will provide a back-up generator, as well as a pre-paid card phone and high-speed Internet services for the Cabinet’s entourage and the press. “This is the third time a Cabinet conference will be held in Phuket, and we’re trying to ensure everything is better organized than ever,” said the Governor.