Phuket expats urged to complete on-line census

PHUKET: Foreigners living in Phuket can now take part in the 2010 National Census by completing an on-line data form available at the National Statistical Office (NSO) website: www.nso.go.th.

After several failed attempts using a Firefox browser, the Gazette contacted the NSO and was informed by its ICT Center that the data entry “works better” using Internet Explorer.

Participants must first register to complete the on-line forms, but can stop at any stage and return later to login and complete any incomplete fields.

Other options include downloading a form from the website and sending it in by post, or calling the census hotline at 1111 (ext 8).

When the Gazette tried to contact the hotline number this morning, however, operators there said to call back in the afternoon.

English-speaking operators are only on duty from 2pm until 10pm, they say.

This is the first time the National Census will try to tally the number of foreigners living in the country, including resident expatriates and migrant workers from neighboring states, especially Burma.

The official population of Phuket is currently about 330,000, but the actual population is thought to be closer to one million.

A senate panel that met in Phuket recently was told there could be as many as 200,000 Burmese living on the island, and 1.2 million in Thailand.

An accurate accounting of the island’s true population could help Phuket get a larger share of government budgets, which are typically allotted based on population.

For our previous report, click here.