18/03/2024
Movie forward, leftist progressive party, meeting with the Provincial Police Commander of Phuket regarding the issue of tourists in Phuket. Since the beginning of March, there have been numerous issues concerning tourism activities and tourists. These include Thai nationals being prohibited from renting cars by operators, central nightlife businesses prohibiting Thai nationals, and most recently, tourists being apprehended by the police for breaking the law but retaliating by assaulting the officers.
On March 18, the team attended a press conference at the conference room on the 2nd floor of the Phuket Provincial Police Office regarding the incident where tourists assaulted police officers at Chalong Police Station. This incident occurred because the tourists were dissatisfied with being stopped by the police and officers filming the encounter. It escalated to the point where the officers were assaulted and their fi****ms were attempted to be seized, resulting in a warning shot being fired. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities occurred.
The press conference atmosphere was filled with numerous questions from local and national media regarding the handling of the incident, corrective measures, and relevant legal regulations.
Mr. Sopon Suwanrat, the Governor of Phuket Province, mentioned that after the Provincial Police Commander of Phuket Province was about to conclude the event, "the province cannot remain silent and will be sending a letter to the New Zealand Embassy to report the behavior of the citizens. However, as there is no consulate in the province, it is necessary to draft the letter and send it to the consulate in Bangkok."
During the press conference, they also discussed other tourism-related issues with Pol. Col. Sineleart Suksom, the Provincial Police Commander of Phuket, such as rental car businesses, long-term tourist behaviors, tourist driver's licenses, and relevant laws concerning tourists.
Regarding the case of the two New Zealand tourists, their tourist visas were revoked on March 16th, 2024, and they were brought into the Thai legal process with objections to bail.
As the Tourism Authority Representative, they have arranged for a meeting of the Tourism Committee, which will include the Governor of Phuket Province, the Tourism Authority Commander, the Immigration Commander, the President of the Provincial Chamber of Commerce, and the President of the Phuket Tourism Business Association, on March 28th, 2024, at the Secretary of the Representatives Office, to find solutions, establish frameworks, and plan for the future.
