Deputy Interior Minister on Social Order visit

PHUKET TOWN: Deputy Interior Minister Pracha Maleenond plans to meet with owners of Phuket entertainment venues tomorrow as he pursues more effective implementation of the national Better Social Order Policy. Tonight he is likely to make an excursion to check on how the policy is working in local venues, where 2 am closing and adults-only admission are being strictly enforced, along with a crackdown on drug abuse and illegal firearms. “I may go to visit places tonight where no teenagers, drugs or firearms [have been found] in order to encourage [the venue owners] to keep doing the right thing,” he told reporters after talks with Governor CEO Pongpayome Vasaputi this afternoon at Phuket Provincial Hall. K. Pracha said that random checks may also be made on venues around the island during his visit. During the talks, the governor also urged K. Pracha to request help from Bangkok to solve some critical problems on the island, especially garbage. The island now creates 280-300 tons of garbage a day, Gov Pongpayome explained, but has incinerators capable of burning only 250 tons. “We need more money from the central government because recent budget allocations from Bangkok haven’t been sufficient,” Gov Pongpayome said. Tomorrow the Governor will report to K. Pracha on enforcement of the Better Social Order Policy, after which K. Pracha will join a public parade in Patong in favor of the policy.