Phuket Town to become Phuket City?

PHUKET TOWN: Phuket Town Mayor Phummisak Hongsyok has invited a cross-section of municipal leaders to join a public hearing to discuss the town’s possible upgrade from tessaban muang (town) to tessaban nakhon (city) status. The meeting will be held from 1-4 pm on Thursday at the Thavorn Grand Plaza Hotel. K. Phummisak said the Municipality first got the go-ahead from the provincial government to apply for city status nine years ago. The town, however, never submitted an application to the province, since such an upgrade was not deemed necessary – until now. Phuket Town’s burgeoning population of more than 50,000 and rapid economic growth has now forced a re-think of the issue. Full city status will provide the district with increased autonomy, possibly making it better able to cope with growing social, infrastructure and environmental problems. The Municipality expects a diverse group of 350 residents to attend the meeting, which is being described as a brainstorming session. Representatives from the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Phuket Chamber of Commerce, local trade associations, teachers, the local press, and the public at-large have all been invited to express their views on the issue. Points of discussions are expected to include the advantages and disadvantages of becoming a city, a review of Phuket Town’s past development, and legal and planning concerns.