Mayor Pian unveils “14 strategies’ to develop Patong

PHUKET: Pian Keesin, launching into his final term as Patong Mayor, has revealed a grand plan of “14 strategies” to transform Patong into a “Livable and Sustainable Tourist Destination City”.

Speaking at a Patong council meeting on Monday, Mayor Pian said, “In order to prepare our town for the beginning of the Asean Economic Community [AEC] in 2015, we will have to raise our standards to international level.

“To achieve that, I propose a plan of 14 different strategies that will highlight different aspects and help our town develop in the right direction,” he added.

In delivering his address, Mayor Pian listed each strategy, with a brief description, as follows:

Strategy 1: Education

“We will give everyone a chance to be equal in education. We will support having computer classes in school, English classes taught by native speakers, and after school classes will be provided for students.”

Strategy 2: Sport and recreation

“We will push to set up a sports complex in Patong, and we will hold sports competitions so everyone can enjoy sports.”

Strategy 3: Information technology development

“We will push our ‘Patong WiFi City’ project, especially in the Loma Park area. The Patong Municipality official website also will be made available so that anyone can publish their public relations through our website.”

Strategy 4: Promotion of local culture and customs

“We will promote local culture and traditions. More events to support culture, tradition and religion will be held so that a deep appreciation of local people will be long-lasting.”

Strategy 5: Social order

“Everyone will be equal in the community according to the law.”

Strategy 6: Drug prevention

“Our communities will be kept safe from drugs. We will do everything to prevent drugs in the area.”

Strategy 7: Public health

“We will promote the public health network by launching activities such as exercise programs that allow people in the community to take part. Food safety is an issue that should also be focused on. Food should be 100 per cent safe and clean and vendors should be inspected regularly. Also, everyone should have access to medical treatment.”

Strategy 8: Increase work efficiency of Patong Municipality staff

“Our work will be clean and transparent. People can check on us and inspect us anytime they want. We will listen to what people in the area need and ensure that we take care of all problems.

“We will provide enough staff to be on duty the whole time during office hours. We will also develop a ‘One Stop Service’ system to save time for people who need to contact us.”

Strategy 9: Economic and tourism promotion

“We will ensure that public services and facilities are ready to serve everyone in order to support the tourism industry, and we will promote local careers in order to help develop the local economy.”

Strategy 10: Public utilities and infrastructure

“We will improve our wastewater treatment capabilities and expand the city sewer network to cover the whole Patong area in order to prepare the town for further expansion.”

Strategy 11: Town plan and Patong city development

“We will develop the town plan to support growth of the local economy and development of the community, and encourage Patong residents to actively take part in developing their city.”

Strategy 12: Natural resources and environment

“We will improve public hygiene and cleanliness, by improving trash collection and how the people dispose of their garbage in the city, and we will promote activities to rehabilitate Patong Beach and promote our municipality to be a ‘green’ community.”

Strategy 13: Preserving safety and security of local residents and tourists

“We will add more CCTV cameras throughout the community and set up an EMS [emergency medical services] mobile unit to provide initial treatment to residents and tourists in need.

“Problems with flooding will be solved and disaster-relief operation officers will be provided seminars and training sessions in conducting rescue operations.”

Strategy 14: Traffic

“We will make any changes needed to improve traffic flow in Patong, and designate traffic police officers to facilitate traffic flow during rush hour. CCTV cameras will be installed at intersections and in crowded areas to prevent drivers from breaking traffic rules and we will widen roads in some areas that already suffer from traffic jams.”

Mayor Pian did not elaborate on which parts of the community, if any, may be lacking such essential services as some of those listed above.

He also did not present any detailed plans on how the above objectives were to be achieved. Such details are to become available as the plans are approved, he said.

“All these 14 strategies will be applied practically. We will set up a development strategic plan, designate projects and distribute the budget to support and push Patong to become a ‘Livable and Sustainable Tourist Destination City’,” he said.

“Progress reports will be submitted to the Patong Municipality Council every year,” he added.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong