ANUTIN VISITS PHUKET FOR A SHORT INSPECTION

ANUTIN VISITS PHUKET FOR A SHORT INSPECTION

Thailand's interior minister took a plane to Phuket yesterday to assess the situation after several high-profile incidents, including the 45-year-old Swiss man who was accused of kicking a Thai woman doctor in the back while she was sitting on the steps of his Cape Yamu home.

Upon landing at approximately 3:30 p.m., Anutin Charnvirakul proceeded directly to a conference located on the fifth floor of the airport. There were also a number of government representatives, provincial authorities, and Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat present.

The Governor, recalled from an overseas trip a week before by Anutin, provided the minister with an update on issues such as the eviction of an illegal sunbed operator from Laem Singh Beach and the ongoing case against Swiss national Urs Fehr.

There were also updates on the island’s crackdown on illegal drugs and new checks on land title documents to ensure there is no encroachment on public land by businesses or private home owners.

During the subsequent investigation against the Swiss man, Fehr, it was discovered the steps were illegally built on a public beach and they have now been demolished. Fehr’s elephant foundation is also being dissolved.

Sophon also provided an update on safety measures for business operators and customers across 5 zones in Patong where bars can remain open until 4am.

Following a 4.15pm press conference at the airport, Anutin visited Kamala Beach to meet tourists, local residents and business owners. Later that evening, he took a tour of Bangla Road in Patong, again mingling with locals and foreign tourists.

During his brief visit, the Interior Minister reiterated Phuket’s importance as a major tourist destination, emphasising the need to maintain tourist confidence and safeguard the island’s reputation.

He flew back to Bangkok at 10am this morning.