Phuket
Patong residents voice support for “Special Admin Zone’

PHUKET: The push to designate Phuket’s top tourism town of Patong as a “Special Administrative Zone” received much positive support at a public meeting on Friday.
The meeting, held to gather feedback from local residents, was headed by Pridi Chotechuang, Deputy Secretary General of the Political Development Council and fellow PDC member Jinda Boonjun.
The PDC is an independent “think tank” within King Prajadhipok’s Institute that conducts academic and field studies to assist in the formulation of government policy.
Also at the event was Preechavude “Prab” Keesin, who heads the Patong branch of the PDC. Mr Prab is also son of Patong Mayor Pian Keesin and head of the Patong Taxi Federation.
“We held the seminar to give Patong residents the opportunity to share and exchange their opinions about Patong being designated a special administrative zone,” said Mr Prab.
“Patong has faced so many problems because it lacks the budget necessary for developmental projects. This affects solid waste issues, as well as tourist safety,” he explained.
At previous seminars on the topic, Mr Prab found that the majority of Patong residents believed the change would help Patong’s development.
“Patong really should be designated a special administrative zone like Pattaya, since both are major tourism cities. This would provide the necessary funds for infrastructure and development in Patong,” said Mr Prab.
“Patong would become a modern city and have its own budget to spend on developmental projects, which would directly benefit the city,” he added.
The meeting on Friday follows a seminar in March held to explain the concept to the public and describe what becoming a Special Administrative Zone would mean. (Click here to read the Phuket Gazette‘s special report on that meeting.)
— Kritsada Mueanhawong
Get more from The Thaiger
Join the conversation and have your say on Thailand news published on The Thaiger.
Thaiger Talk is our new Thaiger Community where you can join the discussion on everything happening in Thailand right now.
Please note that articles are not posted to the forum instantly and can take up to 20 min before being visible. Click for more information and the Thaiger Talk Guidelines.

-
Best of16 hours ago
Top 5 Boarding Schools in Thailand (2022)
-
Hotels2 days ago
Impressive beachfront hotels to book in Phuket
-
Best of2 days ago
Best diving schools in Koh Samui for 2022
-
Best of2 days ago
5 incredible beaches in Phuket to visit in 2022
-
Guides2 days ago
Why you should visit a wellness retreat in Thailand
-
Drugs2 days ago
Govt take a trip to the shroom to help Thailand’s depressed
-
Bangkok2 days ago
Cannabis is illegal on Khao San Road, officials call for crackdown
-
Crime2 days ago
Speedo-wearing middle-aged joggers in Jomtien cause uproar