Cheats, thugs will not be tolerated, Governor assures Phuket honorary consuls

PHUKET: Governor Maitri Inthusut has assured the honorary consuls resident in Phuket that the provincial administration will do its utmost to rid the island of cheats and thugs targeting or attacking tourists.

The news came at a meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall on Monday where Czech Republic Honorary Consul in Phuket Anurak Tansiriroj and Finland Honorary Consul in Phuket Pamuke Achariyachai lead consuls from 12 countries to meet the new Phuket Governor, to welcome him to the island and to discuss working plans and policies between the consuls and the provincial administration.

“We are willing to support any consulates and diplomatic missions in order to build good relations between Thailand and your 12 countries,” Gov Maitri told the consuls.

“We are also ready to be part of a task force set up to solve tourist problems, such as cheats taking advantage of or thugs beating tourists,” he said.

Mr Anurak explained to the governor that the areas of responsibility for most consuls included Phang Nga and Krabi, and that tourist safety was a recurring issue.

“We are most concerned about the life and property of tourists and foreigners living in Phuket. Other problems that we need to take care of involve tourists being taken advantage of or being cheated, and the problem of transportation in Phuket,” Mr Anurak said.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong