AUSTRALIAN officials have cautiously welcomed authorities' vows to crack down on criminality on the Thai resort island of Phuket amid growing diplomatic pressure to stem extortion and corruption.
A high-level meeting was led by the Tourism and Sports Minister Somsak Pharisisak, along with the Justice Ministry's Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and local police and tourism officials.
DSI chief Tarit Pengdith told local media the DSI was threatening to "put out of business" any Thai or foreign nationals undermining the island resort's reputation.
Tarit said Thailand's anti-money laundering laws would be invoked against those groups engaged in extortion or other criminal activities.
"And that means they will see their assets impounded. They will go broke. It is not just an arrest and a petty fine," he said.
The DSI plans to put in place a joint task force within the fortnight to direct efforts in stamping out the criminal activities.
He pointed to illegal taxi activities as well as gangs of foreigners, including Chinese, Koreans and Russians operating tourism-related businesses.
But besides transport issues, foreign diplomats have also pointed to safety and jet ski scams where operators extort money from tourists, accusing them of damaging the craft.
Australian officials estimate that on any month there is an average of 30,000 Australians visiting Phuket.
Larry Cunningham, Australia's honorary consul in Phuket, says he is cautiously optimistic over the new initiatives after earlier calls for reform were overlooked.
"We've got high hopes. Let me say this, we've had our hopes dashed on more than one occasion before," Mr Cunningham told AAP.
"These guys promise a lot. The amount of pressure now that's coming hopefully will see some change because previously it had been left to Phuket to do; and Phuket will not heal itself," he said.
Australians have been increasingly reporting problems during their visits to Phuket.
The island resort was under the spotlight in June last year when Perth travel agent, Michelle Smith, was fatally stabbed during a bag snatch and grab. Two Thai men were later sentenced to life imprisonment.
Australian travellers are already warned by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Smart Traveller to "exercise a high degree of caution" in Thailand.
The advisory also warns over the hiring of motorcycle or jet skis as well as restrictions applying including Australian insurance cover.
Australian travellers continue to report harassment and threats of violence by jet ski operators on beaches across Thailand, and particularly in Phuket, Pattaya, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan.
But Cunningham says the advice is too often ignored by travellers.
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