PHUKET'S beaches need to be saved for us all this high season, especially now that the new Governor has first-hand experience of what it is like to be told to leave a ''private'' one.
That should never have happened. Every Phuket beach is public, and open to Thais and visitors, everybody, to use.
We do not know which beach the Governor was ordered off, but that kind of thing happens all too often.
Many people have had similar encounters. The takeover of public property by these private pirates is something that has to be stopped.
Last high season, Phuketwan ventured onto Surin beach. We thought the shore and the sea were public. Others had a different idea.
We were made to feel as though we had invaded someone's territory.
A restaurant had set out double-sized bed loungers, planted a semi-permanent freshwater shower near the water's edge, and imported a floating pontoon for customers who wanted to make boat trips.
When we walked into this zone, with long lines of advertising banners blowing on both sides from the top of the sand to the water's edge, we were made to feel as though we were trespassing.
The special guests, brought from a resort in Patong to enjoy this bit of ''privacy'' on Surin beach, sent frowns and glares in our direction.
This was clearly an attempt to privatise a stretch of beach which, like all beaches in Thailand, belongs to the King, and through him, the people.
A few tables and chairs on the sand for dining is a small incursion, and one that makes Phuket more delightful, provided the privilege is not abused.
An appropriation from the top of the beach to the water's edge is an invasion, with the intention of a territorial takeover.
Will more attempts be made this high season to ''privatise'' the beaches?
Given the Governor's point of view, we think it may be less likely. We hope so.
We hope he protects the sands we all share for those of us who want to walk on every Phuket beach, any time we like.
Phuket needs every one of its beaches to remain public. That means easy access, any time, night or day.
The truth is that the future of Phuket as a tourist destination depends on all its beaches being open to everybody, at any time.
We are not the only ones to believe that the beachfront opportunists need to be ordered back, and penalised heavily if they don't.
Here's what a writer at travelgolf.com had to say about the subject earlier this year:
''You don't have to be Miss Teen South Carolina (maps whiz and world affairs expert) to understand that the planet would be much better off if places tried to emulate Hawaii.
''No, not that Aloha spirit that's all marketing bunk (when Four Seasons and Marriott are waxing poetic about the Aloha spirit in their in-room pamphlets, you know it's about as authentic as Mickey Mouse).
''You can find plenty of grumpy people in Hawaii - just like anywhere else.
''Where Hawaii stands a good two steps above the rest of humanity, though, is in its beach-access laws.
''Every beach has to have public access. Every beach.
''It doesn't matter what five-star hotel or billionaire's compound it is near. If there's sand and water, any Average Joe or Down On His Luck Schmo can enjoy it.
''In fact, one of the great underrated pleasures in Hawaii is pulling up to a posh resort (one of those places that jacks up its guests for outrageous parking charges) and saying, 'I'm just going to the beach.'
''Then, they often have to let you park for free. That's right, Hawaii doesn't only mandate every beach is public, it requires free public parking within a reasonable distance.
''You likely appreciate Hawaii's beaches more after you leave and go somewhere else.
''For decades, almost all the better beaches on major Bahamas islands like New Providence were as open to the general public (and the country's own citizens) as Dick Cheney's bunker is to Democrats.
''The government began buying back some, but even as a tourist, you can still be stopped from walking on the sand of a resort next to the resort you're staying at.
''It's like a beach cage.
''As Miss Teen South Carolina might say, can't we um, find like a better way?''
We're with Miss Teen South Carolina on this. And we are glad the Governor is, too.
Phuket wants its beaches back.
Phuket Governor Ordered Off 'Private' Beach
Latest Phuket's new governor was ordered off a 'private' beach soon after arriving on the island, which may explain his unhelpful attitude when he met a development project investment team.
Phuket Governor Ordered Off 'Private' Beach
That should never have happened. Every Phuket beach is public, and open to Thais and visitors, everybody, to use.
We do not know which beach the Governor was ordered off, but that kind of thing happens all too often.
Many people have had similar encounters. The takeover of public property by these private pirates is something that has to be stopped.
Last high season, Phuketwan ventured onto Surin beach. We thought the shore and the sea were public. Others had a different idea.
We were made to feel as though we had invaded someone's territory.
A restaurant had set out double-sized bed loungers, planted a semi-permanent freshwater shower near the water's edge, and imported a floating pontoon for customers who wanted to make boat trips.
When we walked into this zone, with long lines of advertising banners blowing on both sides from the top of the sand to the water's edge, we were made to feel as though we were trespassing.
The special guests, brought from a resort in Patong to enjoy this bit of ''privacy'' on Surin beach, sent frowns and glares in our direction.
This was clearly an attempt to privatise a stretch of beach which, like all beaches in Thailand, belongs to the King, and through him, the people.
A few tables and chairs on the sand for dining is a small incursion, and one that makes Phuket more delightful, provided the privilege is not abused.
An appropriation from the top of the beach to the water's edge is an invasion, with the intention of a territorial takeover.
Will more attempts be made this high season to ''privatise'' the beaches?
Given the Governor's point of view, we think it may be less likely. We hope so.
We hope he protects the sands we all share for those of us who want to walk on every Phuket beach, any time we like.
Phuket needs every one of its beaches to remain public. That means easy access, any time, night or day.
The truth is that the future of Phuket as a tourist destination depends on all its beaches being open to everybody, at any time.
We are not the only ones to believe that the beachfront opportunists need to be ordered back, and penalised heavily if they don't.
Here's what a writer at travelgolf.com had to say about the subject earlier this year:
''You don't have to be Miss Teen South Carolina (maps whiz and world affairs expert) to understand that the planet would be much better off if places tried to emulate Hawaii.
''No, not that Aloha spirit that's all marketing bunk (when Four Seasons and Marriott are waxing poetic about the Aloha spirit in their in-room pamphlets, you know it's about as authentic as Mickey Mouse).
''You can find plenty of grumpy people in Hawaii - just like anywhere else.
''Where Hawaii stands a good two steps above the rest of humanity, though, is in its beach-access laws.
''Every beach has to have public access. Every beach.
''It doesn't matter what five-star hotel or billionaire's compound it is near. If there's sand and water, any Average Joe or Down On His Luck Schmo can enjoy it.
''In fact, one of the great underrated pleasures in Hawaii is pulling up to a posh resort (one of those places that jacks up its guests for outrageous parking charges) and saying, 'I'm just going to the beach.'
''Then, they often have to let you park for free. That's right, Hawaii doesn't only mandate every beach is public, it requires free public parking within a reasonable distance.
''You likely appreciate Hawaii's beaches more after you leave and go somewhere else.
''For decades, almost all the better beaches on major Bahamas islands like New Providence were as open to the general public (and the country's own citizens) as Dick Cheney's bunker is to Democrats.
''The government began buying back some, but even as a tourist, you can still be stopped from walking on the sand of a resort next to the resort you're staying at.
''It's like a beach cage.
''As Miss Teen South Carolina might say, can't we um, find like a better way?''
We're with Miss Teen South Carolina on this. And we are glad the Governor is, too.
Phuket wants its beaches back.
Phuket Governor Ordered Off 'Private' Beach
Latest Phuket's new governor was ordered off a 'private' beach soon after arriving on the island, which may explain his unhelpful attitude when he met a development project investment team.
Phuket Governor Ordered Off 'Private' Beach
Here we are again. Tell this to the "owner" of Nui Beach...
Posted by Fritz Pinguin on November 22, 2008 01:11