Local Internet Poll Launched

PHUKET TOWN: The Phuket Gazette has announced the launching today of a weekly opinion poll on its websites. Focusing on strictly local issues of interest to the island’s residents and legions of tourists, the Gazette Poll appears on both the Phuket Residents’ Page (www.phket.loxinfo.co.th/~gazette) and on the Phuket Gazette Online at thethaiger.com. The results of each poll, broken down into three voter categories, are tabulated and presented immediately. The categories are 1) Thai Nationals, 2) Local Expatriate Residents, and 3) Foreigners Overseas & Visitors to Phuket. Safeguards have been built in to prevent ‘spamming’ of the poll by interest groups. Opinions on particularly critical issues, such as tourism, crime, public safety, and the environment, will be brought to the attention of local government and business leaders. For local residents and many others familiar with the island, today’s launch question is unlikely to give rise to protracted contemplation. It is: “Do you feel that driving in Phuket is too risky?” Launched 18 months ago, the Phuket Residents’ Page is a stand-alone community service site. Focused on news, bulletins, and classified advertising, the Residents’ Page is updated daily. In the interest of speed, it is domiciled on a Phuket-based server and contains no commercial ads, photos or other graphics which would impede the rapid dissemination of information.