PHUKET: The large resort and property complex at Laguna Phuket reached agreement yesterday to build 18 shorefront kiosks to end decades of disputes with local vendors.
Management from the mixed-use Laguna brand estate endorsed the plan with officials at Cherng Talay council offices to build the kiosks, each of 3.5 square metres, and allow vendors to operate them.
Squabbles about shanty shops along the beachfront outside Laguna on Bang Tao and Laypang beaches have been constant since the first Laguna resort opened in the early 1980s.
Cherng Talay Mayor Ma-Ann Samran said that he hoped the agreement reached with the resort yesterday to fund erection of the kiosks inside Laguna property would solve the issue.
''We may be able to solve some other disputes along the shorefront in a similar way,'' he said today.
Laguna Phuket has moved from being a seven-resort consortium to developing villa and condominium projects across once-open parkland.
Cost of the kiosk project was not disclosed during yesterday's meeting. Construction is likely to begin soon and the kiosks could be open in December.
It's not clear how the vendors who operate the kiosks will be chosen. Mostly, previous vendors have sold souvenirs and clothing from illegal shops erected on public space.
On one recent visit, a Phuketwan reporter found an illegal tour company operating from a portable table. At one stage, a well-known rival resort opened a beachfront shop outside Laguna, selling time-share holidays similar to those on offer from Laguna.
The Laguna shorefront includes the Dusit, Outrigger, Angsana and Banyan Tree brands, together with the Xana Beach Club. Banyan Tree has not had a problem with seaside vendors.
Management from the mixed-use Laguna brand estate endorsed the plan with officials at Cherng Talay council offices to build the kiosks, each of 3.5 square metres, and allow vendors to operate them.
Squabbles about shanty shops along the beachfront outside Laguna on Bang Tao and Laypang beaches have been constant since the first Laguna resort opened in the early 1980s.
Cherng Talay Mayor Ma-Ann Samran said that he hoped the agreement reached with the resort yesterday to fund erection of the kiosks inside Laguna property would solve the issue.
''We may be able to solve some other disputes along the shorefront in a similar way,'' he said today.
Laguna Phuket has moved from being a seven-resort consortium to developing villa and condominium projects across once-open parkland.
Cost of the kiosk project was not disclosed during yesterday's meeting. Construction is likely to begin soon and the kiosks could be open in December.
It's not clear how the vendors who operate the kiosks will be chosen. Mostly, previous vendors have sold souvenirs and clothing from illegal shops erected on public space.
On one recent visit, a Phuketwan reporter found an illegal tour company operating from a portable table. At one stage, a well-known rival resort opened a beachfront shop outside Laguna, selling time-share holidays similar to those on offer from Laguna.
The Laguna shorefront includes the Dusit, Outrigger, Angsana and Banyan Tree brands, together with the Xana Beach Club. Banyan Tree has not had a problem with seaside vendors.
Thin end of the wedge. It won't stop them reoccupying the beach the second the army goes away, so why does Laguna bother?
Posted by phonus on November 20, 2014 12:48
Editor Comment:
Because they're not Doomsayers, phonus. Normal people understand that change is not only possible but inevitable.