Listen to the issues and take the right action

Among those waiting to meet Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra upon her arrival in Phuket were groups of people wanting to air grievances because of rapid over-development in the tourist province.

One protester was waiting to tell Yingluck of the environmental damage to his community as a result of a new mining project. Another group of people complained to the prime minister about their suffering due to recent price rises in food and consumer goods. 

The various groups of people waiting for Yingluck, and the nature of their complaints, should provide the premier with a glimpse of what is really happening in this southern island province. Phuket residents are not limited to affluent foreign expatriates and tourists; the island has a very diverse population, with people from all over Thailand and the world. 

Phuket is widely known as a renowned tourism destination. But the province is also facing many challenges, including a widening of the income gap between ordinary local people and wealthy investors, environmental pollution and land ownership issues especially in the expensive coastal areas.

Prime Minister Yingluck yesterday presided over a Cabinet meeting that was held in Phuket. The purpose in holding this meeting outside Bangkok is part of an effort to show that the government is listening to people from all regions of the country. Phuket was selected in this instance because of its situation as one of the kingdom’s tourism gateways. 

Deputy Prime Minister Kittiratt Na Ranong said the province generates Bt100 billion of income for the country. Indeed, Phuket has high economic value and good future prospects. The province has an international airport. In addition, the growth of Phuket as a popular destination has spurred growth and prosperity in neighbouring provinces in the Andaman region such as Krabi, Phang Nga and Trang. 

The government also plans to use Phuket as a centre for Asean connectivity. A wide range of projects have been tabled for the Cabinet’s consideration this week, including the expansion of Highway No 4 along the Andaman coast, and a dual-track railway to link the southern provinces with the rest of the country. 

The unplanned development of the province, on the other hand, poses serious challenges. For instance, the capacity of Phuket International Airport is expected to reach a critical level this year. Due to rapid growth in the number of travellers to the region, the airport currently handles more than 8 million passengers per year. The airport’s official capacity is around 6.5 million passengers per year, and its planned expansion is unlikely to be completed before 2015.

Due to the rapid growth of the tourism sector, prices in the province have skyrocketed over the past few years. As a result, Phuket has been selected as one of the first provinces where the Bt300-minimum wage will be applied. This reflects the higher cost of living in the province compared to other areas of the country. Of course, most foreign tourists, expatriates and well-off business operators do not have any problem with price rises. But ordinary local people and workers from other parts of Thailand find it much more expensive to live on the island now.

Phuket has become more crowded and suffers from an inadequate transport system. There is also the problem of trying to minimise the effects of development and pollution on the environment. In addition, crime is increasing, and tourists are often the target of criminals both local and foreign. 

Phuket is not only about tourism. There are also mining and fishing industries, which employ lower-income workers. The development of the province should ensure that all parties prosper together, and its unique beauty should be protected and preserved. After all, the charm of Phuket lies in its diversity, not only its upscale tourist resorts. 

The Cabinet should seriously look into the challenges faced by the province, to ensure that the pit can continue to grow in a sustainable manner. If the government does not take heed, this mobile Cabinet meeting in Phuket will simply be another publicity stunt.