(Phuket, 10th) Phuket must confront persistent issues such as the pervasive smell of cannabis, lax regulation of motorcycle rentals, and concerns impacting tourist safety, as these factors are deterring visitors, local leaders warned.
Rawat Areerob, President of the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization, expressed these concerns to Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat during a meeting on Friday.
Rawat stated that local tourism operators highlighted three main issues during a recent Thai tourism roadshow in Australia: the smell of cannabis, improper motorcycle rentals, and the lack of direct flights between Australia and Phuket.
He pointed out that the smell of cannabis permeates Phuket, and the Thai Ministry of Public Health has yet to propose a clear solution.
Regarding motorcycle rentals, he said foreign tourists often rent motorcycles without adequate knowledge of safe riding, treating Phuket’s roads like test tracks.
He added that Australian tourists have a strong preference for direct flights to Phuket.
Rawat also expressed concern about Phuket’s image in China.
He urged the media to distinguish in their reporting between “scam syndicates,” such as “call center” scams, and genuine Chinese tourists.
“If we classify all Chinese tourists as part of the ‘grey’ category, they’ll choose to visit Singapore or Japan instead,” he warned.
Sophon stated that the Thai Ministry of Public Health is considering reclassifying cannabis as a drug permitted only for medical use.
Phuket has over 1,640 cannabis shops, but due to the absence of zoning laws or enforcement authority, only public consumption can currently be fined under cleanliness regulations.
Rawat Areerob, President of the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization, expressed these concerns to Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat during a meeting on Friday.
Rawat stated that local tourism operators highlighted three main issues during a recent Thai tourism roadshow in Australia: the smell of cannabis, improper motorcycle rentals, and the lack of direct flights between Australia and Phuket.
He pointed out that the smell of cannabis permeates Phuket, and the Thai Ministry of Public Health has yet to propose a clear solution.
Regarding motorcycle rentals, he said foreign tourists often rent motorcycles without adequate knowledge of safe riding, treating Phuket’s roads like test tracks.
He added that Australian tourists have a strong preference for direct flights to Phuket.
Rawat also expressed concern about Phuket’s image in China.
He urged the media to distinguish in their reporting between “scam syndicates,” such as “call center” scams, and genuine Chinese tourists.
“If we classify all Chinese tourists as part of the ‘grey’ category, they’ll choose to visit Singapore or Japan instead,” he warned.
Sophon stated that the Thai Ministry of Public Health is considering reclassifying cannabis as a drug permitted only for medical use.
Phuket has over 1,640 cannabis shops, but due to the absence of zoning laws or enforcement authority, only public consumption can currently be fined under cleanliness regulations.