Phuket scores lowest in personal safety: Ministry study

[Mr Lucky]

From the Bangkok Post:

Northeastern region comes top of human security index
ANJIRA ASSAVANONDA


The poverty-stricken northeastern region, known for massive labour migration, has received the highest score in an assessment of human security made by the Social Development and Human Security Ministry. The Composite Human Security Index (CHSI) was assessed by the ministry in 2006 and the results released yesterday.

Deputy Minister Poldej Pinprateep said the assessment covered 10 elements _ housing security, health security, education, employment and income, personal safety, family relations, social support, socio-cultural participation, rights and justice, and political governance.

The index scores were given from 0-1. Scores closer to one indicated high levels of human security.

The Northeast received the highest score with 0.72, followed by the Central Plains region with 0.70, and the North with 0.68.

The lowest score, 0.61, went to the special zone comprising Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan.

The individual province that scored the highest for overall human security was Samut Songkram at 0.97, followed by Sing Buri, Maha Sarakham, Khon Kaen and Phetchaburi.

The province with the lowest score was Pattani, which received 0.13, followed by Si Sa Ket, Ranong, Yala and Nakhon Sawan.

When looking at the index in particular dimensions, the ministry concluded that the highest human security level was enjoyed in socio-cultural participation (0.703), followed by rights and justice (0.702) and then employment and income (0.701).

The lowest score was in politics and good governance (0.68).

In addition, it was found that Bangkok had the lowest score in housing security, while Chaiyaphum scored the lowest in health security.

Satun hit the bottom in the area of education, and Phuket scored the lowest in personal safety.

Asked why the Northeast topped the list, Dr Poldej explained that the assessment was based not only on economic growth but also on other indicators such as the school enrolment rate, employment status, relations among family members, marriage and divorce rates, stress from rights violations and crime rates.

''Judging from all these indicators, it's not surprising a province like Khon Kaen scored higher than Bangkok in overall human security,'' said Dr Poldej.

He said the index would be presented to the cabinet so responsible ministers would have an overview of the country's human security situation.

''The index will help the authorities know what they need to do about particular elements of human security.

''For example, the public health minister will learn in which areas he needs to work harder at alleviating health problems, and the education minister will know where he needs to focus more on educational assistance,'' he said.

''The interior minister will also learn from the area-based index which provinces he needs to pay greater attention to and in which dimensions,'' said Dr Poldej

[ATMwalking]

good to see some real stats.

Supports what I was getting at in the other thread (2 murders, 2 stabbings...).

Hopefully they will connect the dots and address the issues before they loose too much of their tourism business. But it will take a high profile murder or two to get them to swing into gear. they are reactionary people.

[aussie dollar]

Well Thats It Patong Off My Go To List.
Even Though Never Had A Problem
Love The Place
Best Holiday Place I Have Been Too.

This Report Must Me Right Even When 20000 Members On This Forum And Most Like Me Love The Place And Havent Had Any Problems

[ATMwalking]

Originally Posted by aussie dollar

Well Thats It Patong Off My Go To List.
Even Though Never Had A Problem
Love The Place
Best Holiday Place I Have Been Too.

This Report Must Me Right Even When 20000 Members On This Forum And Most Like Me Love The Place And Havent Had Any Problems

I believe the report was done mostly with locals in mind. As a tourist it is unlikely you'd ever venture into trouble spots. Fortunately trouble (aside from the odd bar fight) hasn't moved into tourist areas. Wasn't until I moved out of Patong that I realized how dangerous Phuket can be. I think it is because of the highly transient population.

[Mr Lucky]

I was surprised by the Phuket stat. I knew the locals were offing each other but I always assumed Chonburi must be much worse.

But then, Phuket is the country's richest province outside Bangkok–money does weird things to people. And most of the residents come there from other parts of Thailand, so it doesn't have the tight-knit social structure of other provinces.

[fun2have]

have to agree that wherever there is a highly transient population you will end up with a break down in social structure/behaviour.

is the issan safer in view of this study because most of its disadvantaged/disempowered have already left the region, and they maybe fill the social demographic of those more likely to cause effects in the study target of personal safety?, is that a somewhat safe assumption?

people when they step outside the tourist ghettos (but why would they do that?, i think most should stay there and be happy, and be totally oblivious to the rest of thailand), would soon be able to see the nasty little bits of thai society, but if you dont mix in the gutters you never have to see it.

generally the violence we read about in phuket is "local business" and rarely effects tourists, and that is the way it should be, of course when the greedy/desperate see the easy money to be made, the potential for that type of crime to increase is there.

[DREW]

Originally Posted by ATMwalking

I believe the report was done mostly with locals in mind. As a tourist it is unlikely you'd ever venture into trouble spots. Fortunately trouble (aside from the odd bar fight) hasn't moved into tourist areas. Wasn't until I moved out of Patong that I realized how dangerous Phuket can be. I think it is because of the highly transient population.

I also think that the Road Traffic Accidents for locals affect their 'Personal Safety'' and it is not just the murders etc that people think this report relates to.

Although it would have perhaps helped if the finding and conclusions behind the results were also show and how they did their calculations etc.

Still feels a lot safer to me than Europe.

Regards

Drew

[bangladiver]

personal security - how about down south - we haven't had many bombs or beheadings here recently?

[Mr Lucky]

Originally Posted by bangladiver

personal security - how about down south - we haven't had many bombs or beheadings here recently?

True, we see that kind of death in the headlines more often, but I bet a drive down Chalong Road is more dangerous than a visit to a Pattani mosque.

[ATMwalking]

Originally Posted by Mr Lucky

True, we see that kind of death in the headlines more often, but I bet a drive down Chalong Road is more dangerous than a visit to a Pattani mosque.

I second that.

[faultytowers]

Originally Posted by Mr Lucky

True, we see that kind of death in the headlines more often, but I bet a drive down Chalong Road is more dangerous than a visit to a Pattani mosque.

Yes , but not to a Pattani restaurant , which is where tourists are more likely to visit. !!!!

From the BBC.

South Thailand bombing kills six

Six people have been killed and at least 20 injured in an explosion in the southern Thai province of Pattani.
Reports say that the blast was caused by a bomb left in a motorbike outside a busy restaurant. The bombers are believed to be among the dead

[Mr Lucky]

Phuket averages 18 road deaths and more than 150 injuries per month, according to the Phuket Gazette.

[ATMwalking]

Plus that is 150 REPORTED injuries. Unreported but with injury would be much much higher.

[ATMwalking]

Gangs war with ‘swords’ at Saphan Hin

SAPHAN HIN: Two gangs each of about 40 teenagers battled with long-bladed weapons, reported as swords, at Saphan Hin about 1 am on Sunday.

Phuket Gazette - online English newspaper for Phuket, Thailand, with daily news, classified ads, yellow pages, business listings, upcoming events, event calendar, phuket events

Teenagers at it again.

I think the good thing on most threads is non-residents don't see the danger. That is perfect. Residents do see the rise in violent crime. Hopefully they can get it under control before tourists are just as exposed.

To bad, when I moved here it was much safer (I think). The sharp rise is really disappointing. Very bad trend.

[LivinLOS]

And for the defenders.. How often do 40+ people fight with swords hacking each other up in your town..

Gangs war with ‘swords’ at Saphan Hin

SAPHAN HIN: Two gangs each of about 40 teenagers battled with long-bladed weapons, reported as swords, at Saphan Hin about 1 am on Sunday.

In the melee, a 16-year-old died after being struck down while riding his motorbike and a member of the same gang fled his attackers by jumping into Klong Bangyai, but with his right hand severed and his right ear nearly completely cut off.

Phuket City Police Investigator Lt Somchai Nuboon identified the dead youngster as Witthawat Pongsakote, 16. He was on a motorcycle trying to escape a rival gang when he was attacked and fell off his motorbike near Pramahachanok Bridge, across the road from Phuket Vocational College.

Critically wounded to the head, back and arms, he was rushed to Vachira Phuket Hospital, where he died of blood loss.

A member of the same gang, Somboon Namkaew, 28, was also set upon. He managed to escape his attackers by jumping into Klong Bangyai, from which he was later lifted with great difficulty by Kusoldham Foundation rescue workers.

Somboon’s right hand was severed and his right ear was almost completely cut off. He is now being treated at Vachira Phuket Hospital, where he has been listed as “out of danger” by staff, Lt Somchai said.

“We already questioned Somboon’s fellow gang members and we know the identity of his attackers, who are members of an enemy gang,” he added.

[Nicke]

Saphan Hin has always been a "dangerous" area in the night time as long I have been living here, mostly youth gangs driving around seeking trouble.

[aussie dollar]

not really a farang tourist area either

[LivinLOS]

Originally Posted by aussie dollar

not really a farang tourist area either

Unless of course that tourist wants a visa extension... Or has to go to the DMV..

[Soupdragon]

To all potential tourists, don't be taken in by this gross misreporting. The 40+ youths are all members of the Phuket "Remember Your Roots" group who were re-enacting the famous 17th century "Battle of Saphan Hin" using real swords for authenticity. It was really dark that night and a few slip ups occurred. Nothing to worry about here.

To all expats. Oh Fcuk here we go again.