Phuket governor opens official residence for public concerns, sets out policy priorities

Phuket Governor Chotinrin has opened the Governor’s Residence in Phuket Town to residents from 4:30pm Friday so they can raise concerns, offer suggestions and discuss ways to improve the province.

Speaking during the weekly Governor’s Report to the People programme on Radio Thailand Phuket, Gov Chotinrin said the residence on Naritsorn Rd in the old government quarter would be used to help provincial officials better understand local issues and deliver faster, more targeted solutions.

“What would you like the Governor to do for Phuket?” he said, inviting residents to bring their answers when they visit.

The invitation came as the newly appointed governor outlined his vision for Phuket after taking office on Monday, June 29. He described a five-dimensional policy framework for the province focused on strengthening the economy and improving residents’ quality of life, developing tourism, promoting Phuket as a Smart City, enhancing security and public order, and protecting natural resources and the environment.

Gov Chotinrin said all government agencies had been instructed to work together in those five areas to support continued economic growth while ensuring balanced and sustainable development.

He also identified several issues requiring urgent action, including encroachment on public land and forest areas, illegal migrant labour, nominee businesses and other illegal enterprises, public order, and drug trafficking and criminal influence. He said tackling those problems was important for safety and for maintaining confidence among residents, tourists and investors.

The governor also referred to heavy overnight rain on Tuesday that affected parts of Phuket, with some areas recording about 100mm of accumulated rainfall. He said relevant agencies had been told to monitor weather conditions closely, especially in areas at risk of landslides, flash flooding and waterlogging, and to keep personnel, machinery and emergency equipment ready to respond.

Gov Chotinrin thanked the private sector and other parts of the community for supporting Phuket’s development, saying cooperation among government agencies, businesses, local communities and other stakeholders would be essential to his goal of making Phuket a quality tourist destination, a safe and liveable city, and a province capable of sustainable long-term growth.

The radio broadcast also highlighted a recent meeting of the Phuket Provincial Security and Public Order Committee, where agencies coordinated efforts on crime prevention, drug suppression, illegal labour enforcement and wider public safety measures.

The Governor’s Report to the People is broadcast every Wednesday from 8am to 9am on Radio Thailand Phuket.