DSI rides in to rescue Phuket

DSI rides in to rescue Phuket

The Department of Special Investigation hit a new level of flamboyance last week. A team led by DSI chief Tarit Pengdith landed at Phuket airport, lined up the notoriously unfriendly taxi drivers for inspection, and began issuing summonses for illegal activities. Mr Tarit then held a press conference, in which he named 11 prominent Phuket businessmen and groups, frequently and pointedly using that well-known code word "influential".

Those on the list were not accustomed to or pleased with being the subject of such attention on their turf. Some summoned their lawyers and threatened lawsuits.

The DSI was trying to show it had drawn a line in the white sand of Phuket's famous beaches. It clearly hopes to shut down the increasingly notorious mistreatment of visitors to Phuket. Because the word is most definitely out, and spreading worldwide: Phuket rips off, abuses, hurts, beats up, robs and generally turns up its collective nose at millions of tourists.

The DSI hopes to shut all that down, and return Phuket to the attitude of the rest of Thailand _ that visitors are not just welcome, but deserve to be safe.

The responses of the named tourist operators to the DSI's aggressive approach are depressing. One insisted that he paid rent every month, that he has done everything by the book, and that he always "talks with officials". There is a missing component in this and other statements by the operators named by the DSI. That word is "tourists".

Whatever the legal merits of their anger at the DSI, the unpleasant truth is that the undoubtedly influential figures who dominate Phuket's tourist-related businesses have betrayed the tourism businesses of Phuket. Put simply, their methods of business are unsustainable. Something that cannot go on forever, will not. The policy of openly gouging visitors today will collapse all businesses tomorrow.

Every successful service business in the world exists on the goodwill and satisfaction of its customers. Many tourist operators of Phuket openly flaunt this truth. Phuket itself has a worldwide reputation that will continue to draw visitors for a while. But the reputation has already changed in many circles. Tourists always have a choice about where to spend their money. These powerful business figures of Phuket are hurting thousands of others in the tourist business. Those who stand to lose most include small- and medium-sized enterprises, from hotels and restaurants to souvenir and dive shops. Small businesses are doomed when tourism dries up.

There are those who criticise the DSI's involvement, but a shock landing by a high-powered law enforcement agency is exactly what was needed as the crucial first step in turning Phuket around. And make no mistake, it must be turned around. The worldwide reports of scams, cheating, murders, robberies and downright unfriendly treatment of tourists are harming the entire country.

Thailand's thriving tourist industry was built on providing a warm welcome to visitors. Phuket is clearly not part of that image. The DSI now must double down on its promises to rid the tourist industry of vultures.

The DSI has done the right thing by going into Phuket with a full-blown public campaign, and it must not back down against the men and businesses who are actively working against the best interests of Phuket and Thailand.

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