Friday, August 27, 2010

ESTABLISHING Phuket as a special entertainment zone is one of the legacies Phuket Governor Wichai Praisa-ngob hopes to leave for tourism on the island.

The governor is scheduled to stroll Soi Bangla in Patong tonight to see for himself the entertainment area that stands to benefit most from the concept of extended opening hours.

Governor Wichai has accepted the viewpoint of local tourism industry entertainment leaders who say that many visitors prefer to sleep in and enjoy a late night on the town, something that is more easily achieved overseas where liquor sales are not so tightly restricted.

He believes that as a tourism destination, Phuket – or at the least some popular areas of the island – should be zoned to stay open and entertain until 3am or 4am.

When tourists were forced to buy alcohol at convenience stores early in the morning and drink on down at the beach, unwanted crime and other social problems increase.

Bar proprietors say they struggle to make a profit when early closing hours are enforced.

It is believed Governor Wichai has sent documents to the Interior Ministry in support of the case for extending Phuket’s entertainment hours beyond the national deadline of 1am.

However, one of Patong’s current problems remains an inability to balance entertainment with the need of residents and those visitors who wish to sleep. One large hotel has had sound measurements recorded that indicate levels of 90 decibels in the grounds of the hotel as late as 3am.

It is believed that Thai laws restrict the level of noise that can be inflicted on neighbors – but a steady stream of complaints to Phuketwan indicate that noise control measures are not being enforced in parts of Patong. The magnitude of this problem may have yet to reach the ears of Governor Wichai.

Among the governor’s other legacies for Phuket are the attractive palmyras that now line the median strip in Thepkasattri Road, a special committee that oversees environmental approval for all buildings, plans for several additional highways and roads, an insurance system for the island’s jet-skis, and the quarterly meetings between honorary consuls and Phuket’s police and tourism leaders.

Governor Wichai was surprised at the size and scale of Phuket’s problems when he first arrived. He admits that in his 18-month tenure, he has not been able to do more than start the ball rolling in addressing the chronic issues of tuk-tuk oversupply and high fares, lack of public transport, and corruption.

He also has told Phuketwan that he believes that Patong without corruption could be a wonderful place. The governor retires in late September.