City undeturd – fines for Fido’s streetside stools

PHUKET TOWN: Phuket Town Mayor Phummisak Hongsyok vowed today that his town will no longer be a place for close encounters of the turd kind, thanks to an imminent drive to eliminate stinking dog faeces from the city’s streets. Speaking at his second “Mayor meets the press” conference, Mayor Phummisak warned that anyone who allows a dog in his or her care to foul a public place faces an on-the-spot fine of 500 baht. He explained that the decision to enforce regulations on canine excreta had been sparked by a deluge of complaints from residents about the crappy condition of streets and public areas, most notably on Yaowarat Rd between Suriyadet Circle and Deebuk Rd, also a popular area for tourists. The Gazette understands the problem is particularly bad in the mornings, with hundreds of people kicking their dogs out onto the sidewalk for a shameless dump. “Municipal inspectors will soon be patrolling public areas and enforcing the regulation,” Mayor Phummisak said, adding that the crapdown will probably start next week.