Top officials to discuss Phuket’s future

PHUKET: Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak and three other ministers will be among a high-powered meeting of top government officials in Phuket on July 4 and 5 to discuss development of the island, it was announced yesterday. The 35-strong delegation will include Public Health Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan, Information and Communications Technology Minister Dr Surapong Suebwonglee, Tourism and Sports Minister Sontaya Kunplome, Deputy Interior Minister Pramual Ruchanaseree, Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Juthamas Siriwan, plus permanent secretaries, top-level department officials and academics. Arriving on July 4, the entourage will meet at Phuket International Airport to discuss the island’s air and sea transportation facilities with local government officers. This will be followed by an inspection tour of sites proposed for Phuket’s International Convention and Exhibition Center, at Mai Khao and Saphan Hin. On July 5, they will meet at the Royal Phuket City Hotel to discuss the Phuket Cyber Paradise and health hub projects. Also on the agenda is the development of Phuket’s infrastructure, including water and electricity supply, transport, town planning issues and the environmental impact of major projects, as well as Phuket’s duty-free status and the possibility of making the island a tax-free zone. On July 6, the entire delegation will visit Krabi, before moving on to Ranong, to discuss similar issues facing those provinces.