PHUKET, THAILAND – Phuket’s governor has vowed to slash road deaths after more than 140 people died on the island’s streets last year. Australian help is on the way.
Governor Chotinrin Kerdsum met Australian Ambassador Pablo Kang at Phuket Provincial Hall on Thursday. They agreed to tighten controls on vehicle rentals and enforce traffic laws more strictly.
Road deaths claim over 140 lives
Governor Chotinrin revealed alarming figures at the meeting. More than 140 people died on Phuket’s roads last year.
The target for 2026 is fewer than 100 road deaths. To achieve this, authorities will ramp up checks on vehicle rental companies and step up prosecutions.
Eleven direct flights from Australia each day
Australians remain one of Phuket’s most important visitor markets. Around eleven direct flights from various Australian cities land on the island daily.
Last year about 800,000 Australians visited Thailand, roughly half of them came to Phuket. Ambassador Kang strongly recommended all travellers take out travel insurance.
Traffic safety is biggest worry for visitors
Kang called road safety the most pressing problem for Australian visitors, especially with rental vehicles. Many tourists underestimate conditions on Thai roads.
The governor announced that officials will now check whether rental customers hold a valid driving licence. Anyone without a valid licence will not get a vehicle.
Illegal e-cigarettes and smoking targeted
Chotinrin put two more issues in the spotlight. Authorities will crack down harder on illegal e-cigarettes and smoking in banned public areas.
Both violations often land tourists in trouble with police. Stricter enforcement is meant to protect visitors and provide clarity.
Tsunami warning system and emergency plans
The governor highlighted Phuket’s achievements in disaster protection. A working tsunami warning system and practised emergency plans aim to minimise risks for residents and tourists.
Health services and disaster prevention officials work closely together, he said, to respond quickly to emergencies.
Phuket and Australia pledge closer cooperation
The meeting was also attended by Australia’s Consul General in Phuket, Kirsten Fletcher, and representatives from police, immigration, tourist police and the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
The talks ended with a commitment to continue cooperation between Phuket authorities and the Australian consulate. Both sides see caring for Australian visitors as a shared task.