Phuket Ownership: Governor Admits to Concerns
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THE Governor of Phuket, Wichai Praisa-nob, said today there was often a subtle, unwritten agreement that enabled foreigners to control what was done with land on Phuket.
While the letter of the law was being obeyed, the effect of a marriage or a nominee arrangement in most cases meant foreign control of Thai real estate, he said.
The governor's comments were sought by a reporter today amid apparent growing concern about the actual levels of control foreigners have, especially along the island's prime coast.
A controversial academic report on ''alien ownership'' of property on Phuket seems to be a reflection of widespread uneasiness about foreign investment in land.
The report, loosely translated, is titled ''Summary Report: Real Estate Holdings of Aliens.'' It is likely to be dissected and discussed for weeks and months to come.
We could not find any figures in the document to support the Bangkok Post's page one lead article on Monday that carried the heading:''Foreigners 'Own 90 percent of Phuket beach land'.''
There are, however, many other elements that will be the talk of the island. One researcher told Phuketwan today that when it came to the issue of foreign ownership, ''Phuket is quite critical.''
