PHUKET AUTONOMY PUSH HITS BUMP AS CONSTITUTIONAL LAW COMES INTO PLAY

The long-awaited push to have Phuket granted greater autonomy has hit a delay, as House Speaker Wan Muhammad Noor Matha has refused to accept the draft Phuket Metropolis Act, citing constitutional violations.

- Natnaree Likidwatanasakun

A formal “letter of initiation” for the creation of the Phuket Metropolis Act, was presented to Wan Noor on Aug 13 with the aim of decentralising administrative power, improving local governance and addressing persistent inequalities in tax and budget allocation within the province.

It is also hoped to be an avenue for Phuket to directly address critical issues facing the island, including traffic and construction.