Koh Samui's mayor and tourism operators are welcoming moves by the government to press ahead with a bill that will give the Surat Thani island "special town" status, similar to Pattaya.
Mayor Ramnet Jaikwang said yesterday he backed efforts to give the island special local administration status, which he said would help locals.
The bill has been undergoing studies and public hearings among locals for more than 10 years and the special local administration can be pressed ahead with immediately because the people of Koh Samui are fully behind the move, Mr Ramnet said.
Locals want full decentralisation of power so the local administration can manage all operations on the island, the mayor said.
"Currently, the local administration has to report back to the provincial office on everything, including urgent procurements," Mr Ramnet said.
"The local body should be able to have the last say because the National Anti-Corruption Commission and Office of the Auditor-General still examine its decisions."
Seni Puwasetthavorn, president of the Tourism Promotion Association on Koh Samui, said it is possible for the island to be turned into a special town immediately because residents and business operators back the plan.
"It would be beneficial to tourism and other developments on Koh Samui as the island has lots of potential and can support itself," Mr Seni said.
"Street lights and Department of Highways signs on roads encircling the island have been left dilapidated.
"If the special town is established, this is the sort of problem we can take care of ourselves."
The bill on the island's special status is set to be submitted to the National Legislative Assembly along with similar bills for Mae Sot district in Tak and Laem Chabang municipality of Chon Buri, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Tak governor Somchai Hathayatanti said yesterday Mae Sot has the potential to be both a special local administration and a special economic zone as border trade there amounts to between 5.4-5.8 billion baht a month.
When the Asean Economic Community is formed next year, the zone is likely to bring in more revenue, Mr Somchai said.
Koh Samui's mayor and tourism operators are welcoming moves by the government to press ahead with a bill that will give the Surat Thani island "special town" status, similar to Pattaya.
Mayor Ramnet Jaikwang said yesterday he backed efforts to give the island special local administration status, which he said would help locals.
The bill has been undergoing studies and public hearings among locals for more than 10 years and the special local administration can be pressed ahead with immediately because the people of Koh Samui are fully behind the move, Mr Ramnet said.
Locals want full decentralisation of power so the local administration can manage all operations on the island, the mayor said.
"Currently, the local administration has to report back to the provincial office on everything, including urgent procurements," Mr Ramnet said.
"The local body should be able to have the last say because the National Anti-Corruption Commission and Office of the Auditor-General still examine its decisions."
Seni Puwasetthavorn, president of the Tourism Promotion Association on Koh Samui, said it is possible for the island to be turned into a special town immediately because residents and business operators back the plan.
"It would be beneficial to tourism and other developments on Koh Samui as the island has lots of potential and can support itself," Mr Seni said.
"Street lights and Department of Highways signs on roads encircling the island have been left dilapidated.
"If the special town is established, this is the sort of problem we can take care of ourselves."
The bill on the island's special status is set to be submitted to the National Legislative Assembly along with similar bills for Mae Sot district in Tak and Laem Chabang municipality of Chon Buri, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Tak governor Somchai Hathayatanti said yesterday Mae Sot has the potential to be both a special local administration and a special economic zone as border trade there amounts to between 5.4-5.8 billion baht a month.
When the Asean Economic Community is formed next year, the zone is likely to bring in more revenue, Mr Somchai said.
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Koh Samui's mayor and tourism operators are welcoming moves by the government to press ahead with a bill that will give the Surat Thani island "special town" status, similar to Pattaya.
Mayor Ramnet Jaikwang said yesterday he backed efforts to give the island special local administration status, which he said would help locals.
The bill has been undergoing studies and public hearings among locals for more than 10 years and the special local administration can be pressed ahead with immediately because the people of Koh Samui are fully behind the move, Mr Ramnet said.
Locals want full decentralisation of power so the local administration can manage all operations on the island, the mayor said.
"Currently, the local administration has to report back to the provincial office on everything, including urgent procurements," Mr Ramnet said.
"The local body should be able to have the last say because the National Anti-Corruption Commission and Office of the Auditor-General still examine its decisions."
Seni Puwasetthavorn, president of the Tourism Promotion Association on Koh Samui, said it is possible for the island to be turned into a special town immediately because residents and business operators back the plan.
"It would be beneficial to tourism and other developments on Koh Samui as the island has lots of potential and can support itself," Mr Seni said.
"Street lights and Department of Highways signs on roads encircling the island have been left dilapidated.
"If the special town is established, this is the sort of problem we can take care of ourselves."
The bill on the island's special status is set to be submitted to the National Legislative Assembly along with similar bills for Mae Sot district in Tak and Laem Chabang municipality of Chon Buri, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Tak governor Somchai Hathayatanti said yesterday Mae Sot has the potential to be both a special local administration and a special economic zone as border trade there amounts to between 5.4-5.8 billion baht a month.
When the Asean Economic Community is formed next year, the zone is likely to bring in more revenue, Mr Somchai said.
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