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All branches of the Thai government are joining together to improve tour boat safety in Phuket.

This includes the Phuket branch of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), the political attaché of the Thai military.

A recent meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall, chaired by the Phuket Governor Mr. Norraphat Plodthong, confirmed that the ISOC is drafting guidelines for action to organise tourism businesses in Phuket and ensure the viability of the sector both in the Southern Region and countrywide.

Mr. Norraphat also confirmed attendance of every relevant government agency in Phuket. This included the Thai government, Thai military and police plus representatives of tour businesses and operators of the major tour boat piers in Phuket that attended this important meeting.

The ISOC Phuket branch is setting guidelines for any businesses involved in tourism to follow for the continued growth of the sector. It is meant to control, correct, and rehabilitate tour boat safety in Phuket and ensure the safety and security of all tourists visiting Phuket regardless of country of origin.

After the meeting, a safety audit was conducted of all 24 major piers on the island, both government and private, that are used to provide boat trips for tourists. Every tour boat pier must now install CCTV cameras and post clear signs informing tourists of Thai government marine safety guidelines. All tour boats will also be checked regularly to ensure the equipment on board and the crew meet safety regulations.

From now on, every pier will have staff from the relevant agencies on hand to check the boats before allowing the boats to depart.

Guidelines will state that the equipment placed inside the boats and the equipment on board must be ready to be deployed in case of emergency. Each and every individual passenger must be checked to ensure there is a viable record to identify them by face including information; such as, both their given name and surname, nationalities, where they stay in Phuket and their next point of embarkation.

Tour guides must be checked in accordance with the law. All regulations are to enhance the standard of tourism in Phuket. The government said all the efforts combined will improve the security and confidence among foreign visitors travelling to the popular resort island.

All photos courtesy of the Government Public Relations Department, Phuket Branch.