Cabinet talks Phuket in Phuket

PHUKET TOWN: A Cabinet meeting in Phuket on Monday will discuss the effect of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) scare, the 100-billion-baht plan to develop the island, health tourism and the plan for a software park. Local Thai Rak Thai party leader Dr Yada Palimapan and Chawalit Na Nakhon, Vice-President of the Region 11 Community Relations Committee, listed the topics yesterday. Dr Yada said, “On the topic of the software park, we expect there will be software businessmen coming to invest in Phuket soon. “As part of preparations for their arrival, a one-stop service for foreign businessmen will be set up at the Prince of Songkla University annex at Saphan Hin where the Software Industry Promotion Agency will be based.” In other activities connected with the Cabinet visit, Narongsak Angkasuwapala, Director General of the Health Service Support Department, will meet Phuket government officers and local business people to discuss health tourism. On the agenda is a plan for a road show to promote Phuket for health tourism and a proposal to train unemployed people and others who already work in spas in massage skills and basic English. Meanwhile, police last night set up checkpoints across the island to heighten security for the Cabinet conference, which will be attended by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Pol Maj Sa-aad Wongwiengjan, of Chalong Police Station said, “We are checking for illegal arms to prevent acts of terrorism while the ministers and Prime Minister Thaksin are here. We are checking for illegal drugs, too.” The checkpoints will continue until Monday.