30-01-2015

Page 1

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015

thephuketnews thephuketnews thephuketnews.com Friday January 30 – Thursday February 5, 2015

Since 2011 / Volume V / No. 5

WATER PROTEST BRINGS OUT THE TRUTH > PAGE 3

TIMESHARE

20 Baht

NEWS

PAGE 5

‘Duo shoot gun, run checkpoint and dump drugs’

AN ISSUE ONCE AGAIN LIFE

PAGE 8

A taste of Italy in Santosa’s raw food menu

TIMESHARE BUSINESSES SAY THAT THEY FOLLOW REGULATIONS, BUT SOME DO NOT Nattapat Tuarob reporter1@classactmedia.co.th

V

ice-Governor Dr Punlop Singhaseni and relevant officers last Thursday (January 22) went to check on timeshare businesses in Patong and Cherng Talay that were the subjects of complaints lodged with the Damrongtham Centre. The first to be visited was Absolute World Group in Patong. The team was met by Mike Hall, the company’s AsiaPacific Managing Director.

V/Gov Punlop told him, “The problem is that clients have complained that they have paid for memberships but didn’t get what they were supposed to get according to the contract. “Also, there is a problem with the sales technique; the sales people do not have a good hospitality manner. “They accost foreigners walking along the street, which is unacceptable and will ruin the image of Phuket. “I am also worried that these sales people may not have work permits.” Mr Hall put up a stout defence of Ab-

solute. “We have been doing this for many years, and we can guarantee that more than 90 per cent of our clients are satisfied with the products provided. We have solutions for our clients. “If they book a specific time to stay [at a timeshare location], but it happens to be full, we will provide them with another partner location, which we have around the globe.” As for the problem of timeshare touts, or – politely – Off Premises Canvassers (OPCs), whose job it is to persuade tourists to go to timeshare

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

@thephuketnews

The methods used by timeshare OPCs have often been a topic of conversation, not only in Phuket but many wellknown tourist destinations.

company offices to hear the sales pitch from company staff, Mr Hall told the Vice-Governor he was aware of this. “I understand that there are some areas of timeshare in Phuket and Thailand that cause a bad name for tourism. That’s true. But not because of Absolute.” He explained after the meeting, “The Vice-Governor said that he wants all of our people to be clearly identifiable with name badges with a photograph and with a work permit if they are foreign.

SPORT

PAGE 31

Knock-out win for Phuket MMA fighter


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
30-01-2015 by The Phuket News - Issuu