Both tourists and locals have been advised not to hang bags from the handlebars of their motorcycles or leave things in the front baskets, as petty crime is set to increase on the island.

The news comes after a man was arrested on Friday after robbing the 7-Eleven on Wiset Road, Rawai, and getting away with no more than 360 baht.

He entered the store brandishing a brick at 4:00 and demanded that the shop assistant hand over all the cash.

Unfortunately for him, the small amount was delivered in 10 baht coins and he was arrested soon afterwards.

Mongkhol Pintajan, 33, was arrested after the police examined the CCTV footage of the incident.

He said he robbed the shop as he had no money.

It’s a sorry state of affairs for all involved if the current hard times lead some to such desperate measures.

Apparently, and unbeknown to me, Phuket and Thailand as a whole have been experience a bit of a slump in visitor numbers recently.

The latest air passenger numbers tell a different story, however. Even the recent difficulties with Cambodia and the notorious ‘sit-in’ don’t seem to have put them off.

Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, which is the main gateway to Phuket, has seen a rise of almost 30 per cent on last year’s peak season passenger figures.

In total, the amount of happy sun seekers on their way to Phuket’s sunny shores between Christmas Day and January 5^th were no less than 1,668,863 this year. Pretty amazing for just 10 days.

Apparently the biggest resorts in Phuket are already reporting a better month this February than last month, and while I’m pleased that our local business are thriving, I can’t help feeling a bit like a kid with a new toy when I hear about figures like these.

Can’t these people find their own piece of paradise and leave mine alone?

Phuket Governor Wichai Praisa-ngob this week said that a trial of metered tuk-tuks could be rolled out in Karon and Kata this year.

The move comes as an attempt to solve the transport problems in Phuket that essentially revolve around tourists and expats being ripped off by opportunist tuk-tuk and taxi drivers.

It’s true, that despite living in Phuket for quite a number of years now, tuk-tuk drivers still try it on with me simply because I have a white face. My protests that I actually live here and know what the real price is also doesn’t always cut it, especially in the most touristy areas, as the drivers know they can always refuse me and pretty much guarantee picking up a less difficult customer who will simply take their first price without question.

While I’m sure the tuk-tuk drivers aren’t going to welcome this proposal with open arms, foreigners who are in Phuket for more than just a short holiday certainly will.

The island’s court system has seen a similar principle hailed as a breakthrough and so the security forces may soon follow suit.

Phuket chief justice Varangkana Sujaritkul told reporters that she did not see any problem involving corruption with the plans. She added that there would always be a minimum of two parties involved in any process, making the potential for bias negligible.

There were a number of interesting innovations introduced to Phuket in 2009 such as the ‘keep beaches clean’ campaign, ‘Summer on Phuket’ concept of marketing, music on the beach Roy Fest festival, plus jet-ski insurance.

Next year will see the banning of free plastic bags in the majority of the island’s retailers in a bid to tackle excess waste.

While some companies are refusing to be downhearted about recent development, the general picture is one of the need for a ’shakeout’ of the weakest organisations. Some have dubbed the 2009-10 high season the ’sigh’ season as the admittedly large numbers of returning visitors have less money’s to spend on perceived luxuries, such as diving.

The expense of the pastime has pushed some fans to chose other areas to practice their hobby. And many dive instructors working in Phuket shops have been hearing tourists complain about the prices quoted.

The problems experienced within the Phuket industry have been exacerbated by the entry cost to Surin and Similan National Parks. Thailand’s prime diving destinations now charge 200 and 400baht per day for diving.

Phuket Provincial Hall was the site of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) ceremony which was administrated by Phuket Governor Wichai Phraisa-ngop.

The scheme to cut down on the island’s plastic waste is the first of its kind in the Kingdom, and will be introduced on February 14.

Jungceylon, Central, Robinson, Carrfour, Supercheap, Phuket Grocery, Big C, Family Mart, Index Living Mall, 108 Shop, SB Furniture and Homepro were amongst the signatories.

Officials said 7-Eleven and Tesco-Lotus were still both waiting to hear from their Bangkok store headquarters for final approval regarding the scheme.

Makro was the other big name not to sign but the store has never distributed free plastic bags. Phuket produces around 500 tonnes of garbage every day, double what the Saphan Hin incinerator can burn. What is left over is left to pile up within low-lying landfills by the site.

In 2007, toxic waste overflowed from the landfill into nearby waterways, destroying millions of fish that were farmed in the area.

 With wonderfully designed costumes, traditional handicrafts, silver and gold jewellery, house interior goods, antiques, paintings, leather goods, silk, lacquer ware and many more items to select from, most likely the sole thing you will regret about shopping on the island is that you forgot bringing a bigger bag along!

The majority of the outlets housed in the department stores as well as the larger retail shops sell products that have fixed prices, so it is not possible to bargain. Bargaining is common at the smaller stalls and shops, markets and street vendors. Depending on the buyers’ bargaining skills and the vendors’ will of the vendor it might be possible to purchase goods at prices 10 to 40 per cent less than the original asking price. Those shoppers bargaining with smiling faces mostly will be rewarded. Most vendors here work very long daily, so some good humour and a smile will certainly be appreciated and you’ll get the best deal.

Guide to Koh Samui shopping