New vice-governors arrive

PHUKET: As Vice-Governor Supachai Yuvaboon prepares to move on to a new post in Bangkok, two new vice-governors have arrived to replace him and Vinai Buapradit, who was promoted to Governor of Phang Nga on October 1.

The two new vice-governors are Vorapoj Rattasima and Pongsak Playmek, who were previously vice-governors of Samut Songkram and Samut Sakorn respectively.

K. Supachai, who arrived in Phuket to start work on the day of the tsunami, December 26, 2004, is moving on to Prince Damrong Rajanuphab Institute of Research and Development.

He told the Gazette, “I’ve worked here [in Phuket] about 10 months and I have to say that I’ve had some memorable experiences, what with the tsunami, water shortages and maintaining stability.

“What worries me most about Phuket is the environmental problems the island faces. It resembles Singapore in that it may be healthy enough economically speaking but all the money in the world cannot buy back a natural, healthy environment.

“We are facing water shortages and the threat of landslides and I feel people are getting away from their roots and thinking too much about money.

“Look at it this way: if you sell your land then spend all your money, what will you do when there’s no land left to cultivate anymore? Phuket is growing fast and the property market is exploding. Areas that used to be rubber plantations are now property developments.

“I think that in the next three to five years we will see the death of agriculture in Phuket and I believe that, therefore, the island needs some serious town planning.”

Commenting on the newcomers, K. Supachai added, “Both of them have good experience and they should be a positive influence on the development of the province.”

Niran Kalayanamit will stay on as Vice-Governor of Phuket.