PHUKET: Officials swarmed onto a Phuket beach today to warn reluctant beach vendors that their businesses must cease or they will face heavy penalties.
Signs posted on Kamala beach noted the restrictions and the penalties. The beaches and foreshores are being reclaimed for the public and private profits are no longer permitted.
The Director of Thalang, Supot Chanakit, told Phuketwan today that Surin beach is a role model for the other beaches in his district - including Kamala, Nai Yang, Nai Thon, Laypang, Layan and Bang Tao.
''Progress will be made at different speeds at these beaches,'' he said. ''Surin is the model but not all beaches can be cleared that fast.
''On Surin, too, we are still looking at the government buildings that were provided to locals 30 years ago and that eventually were converted to beach clubs and restaurants.''
Thirty years ago, the future popularity of Phuket's beaches was not fully appreciated. For decades, land near the beaches was considered to be of little agricultural value, which is why so many Phuket foreshores remain the home for Muslim cemeteries.
The bid to clear all beaches is continuing. Nai Yang, though, was particularly complicated, he said.
''This can't happen overnight,'' he said. ''Our aim is to prevent local officials being sued in return.''
Khun Supot offered his view on why Phuket has so many problems.
''Officers on the island haven't always done their jobs,'' he said. ''Quite often they turned a blind eye.
''Yes, Phuket certainly has mafia. My definition of mafia would be where local residents, expats, tourists or others work with local officials to defeat the law. That's mafia.
Now it's time to educate the people of Phuket about what's in the public interest, and why it's good for everyone. Until now, all they have understood is self-interest.''
Signs posted on Kamala beach noted the restrictions and the penalties. The beaches and foreshores are being reclaimed for the public and private profits are no longer permitted.
The Director of Thalang, Supot Chanakit, told Phuketwan today that Surin beach is a role model for the other beaches in his district - including Kamala, Nai Yang, Nai Thon, Laypang, Layan and Bang Tao.
''Progress will be made at different speeds at these beaches,'' he said. ''Surin is the model but not all beaches can be cleared that fast.
''On Surin, too, we are still looking at the government buildings that were provided to locals 30 years ago and that eventually were converted to beach clubs and restaurants.''
Thirty years ago, the future popularity of Phuket's beaches was not fully appreciated. For decades, land near the beaches was considered to be of little agricultural value, which is why so many Phuket foreshores remain the home for Muslim cemeteries.
The bid to clear all beaches is continuing. Nai Yang, though, was particularly complicated, he said.
''This can't happen overnight,'' he said. ''Our aim is to prevent local officials being sued in return.''
Khun Supot offered his view on why Phuket has so many problems.
''Officers on the island haven't always done their jobs,'' he said. ''Quite often they turned a blind eye.
''Yes, Phuket certainly has mafia. My definition of mafia would be where local residents, expats, tourists or others work with local officials to defeat the law. That's mafia.
Now it's time to educate the people of Phuket about what's in the public interest, and why it's good for everyone. Until now, all they have understood is self-interest.''
It is like a game of whack-a mole, and so it will continue until the officials get tired. Certainly, the car park at Surin will be reclaimed by hawkers.
Posted by phonus on July 21, 2014 14:30