PHUKET: The future of sunbeds and the state of Phuket's beaches are likely to top the agenda when the island's honorary consuls meet with Governor Maitree Intrusud in 10 days' time.
It's the first meeting between the consuls and the governor since November. The envoys are expected to praise most of the changes that have taken place on Phuket and in Thailand since General Prayuth Chan-ocha took charge on May 22.
One awkwardness is that European Union diplomats are not permitted to meet with the military because of the EU's objections to the coup, so the envoy's views on the introduction of meter taxis and the beach clearances may have to be conveyed later by Governor Maitree to the Army and the Royal Thai Navy.
It's also not clear as yet whether the meeting will be an open, transparent forum of the kind held by Governor Maitree's predecessors in the international style that they welcomed every three months or a closed, secretive gathering of the kind preferred by Governor Maitree on the rare occasions when he has met the consuls.
In the closed gatherings, Governor Maitree has not been able to answer all the consul's questions but in the open forums, with all the key organisations represented, the officials responsible have been able to respond immediately.
The number of drownings at Phuket's beaches and fatalities on Phuket's roads appear to be well down on last year, so the governor will have plenty of good news to convey.
Phuketwan believes a number of envoys will be seeking to know whether or not sunbeds and umbrellas have gone from Phuket's beaches forever. Clearances since June have seen sunbeds and umbrellas removed from Patong, Surin, Kamala, Kata and Karon so that they are now found only at the edges of privately-managed foreshores.
Older visitors especially are understood to have complained to envoys in considerable numbers. However, the military's clearing of the public beaches has won overall praise and tourists so far appear to be coping with towels or mats in place of sunbeds.
The problem is that to allow a small number of sunbeds back on the beaches would inevitably lead to their widescale return. The classic Phuket formula follows the Three Cs: Conflict leads to Compromise and Compromise leads to Corruption.
Phuketwan's suggestion would be for the military to hold firm to its clear public beaches philosophy. Tourists who disappear this high season will be replaced by those who appreciate the natural appeal of the beaches next high season.
The consuls, though, are also likely to make the point that some of Phuket's beaches are dirty - and dangerous in places - because the wreckage from shorefront restaurants and beach clubs has not been thoroughly removed.
Governor Maitree will want the beaches looking perfect, too, because the Fourth Asia Beach Games are being held on Phuket from November 14-21.
As Phuketwan has frequently suggested, the long-term solution is to create a Phuket Beach Authority with the Royal Thai Navy at its core.
Officers in those brilliant white uniforms may be needed at Phuket's beaches from November on to explain to unhappy visitors where those umbrellas and sunbeds have gone. There will be no vendors at many of the beaches to answer the tourists' questions.
Governor Maitree is also likely to be asked what's being planned for the tenth anniversary of the Indian Ocean Tsunami on December 26. There were 5400 deaths, and the big wave was the worst natural disaster ever experienced by Thailand . . . and Sweden. About half of the deaths were people from more than 40 countries.
Although tragic in every aspect, the tsunami made Phuket a household word around the world, even though Khao Lak to the north suffered 10 times as much in deaths and damage.
The awareness, though, of what had happened so soon after Christmas 2004 triggered an unprecedented outpouring of generosity in the days that followed as the tolls rose and as the levels of suffering in Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka became apparent. About 220,000 people perished.
While the deaths deserve to be commemorated, Phuketwan has suggested that the many instances of heroism, the generosity of Thais and the stunning forensic achievement in identifying 90 percent of the 3000 nameless bodies should be celebrated.
If the military government is wise, it will issue tsunami medals 10 years on to those connected to the most outstanding acts of gallantry and community endeavor. There will never be a better time to mark the extraordinary capacity of the Thais involved to behave with courage and compassion in the face of a disaster.
It will be a shame if such a timely opportunity is missed.
It's the first meeting between the consuls and the governor since November. The envoys are expected to praise most of the changes that have taken place on Phuket and in Thailand since General Prayuth Chan-ocha took charge on May 22.
One awkwardness is that European Union diplomats are not permitted to meet with the military because of the EU's objections to the coup, so the envoy's views on the introduction of meter taxis and the beach clearances may have to be conveyed later by Governor Maitree to the Army and the Royal Thai Navy.
It's also not clear as yet whether the meeting will be an open, transparent forum of the kind held by Governor Maitree's predecessors in the international style that they welcomed every three months or a closed, secretive gathering of the kind preferred by Governor Maitree on the rare occasions when he has met the consuls.
In the closed gatherings, Governor Maitree has not been able to answer all the consul's questions but in the open forums, with all the key organisations represented, the officials responsible have been able to respond immediately.
The number of drownings at Phuket's beaches and fatalities on Phuket's roads appear to be well down on last year, so the governor will have plenty of good news to convey.
Phuketwan believes a number of envoys will be seeking to know whether or not sunbeds and umbrellas have gone from Phuket's beaches forever. Clearances since June have seen sunbeds and umbrellas removed from Patong, Surin, Kamala, Kata and Karon so that they are now found only at the edges of privately-managed foreshores.
Older visitors especially are understood to have complained to envoys in considerable numbers. However, the military's clearing of the public beaches has won overall praise and tourists so far appear to be coping with towels or mats in place of sunbeds.
The problem is that to allow a small number of sunbeds back on the beaches would inevitably lead to their widescale return. The classic Phuket formula follows the Three Cs: Conflict leads to Compromise and Compromise leads to Corruption.
Phuketwan's suggestion would be for the military to hold firm to its clear public beaches philosophy. Tourists who disappear this high season will be replaced by those who appreciate the natural appeal of the beaches next high season.
The consuls, though, are also likely to make the point that some of Phuket's beaches are dirty - and dangerous in places - because the wreckage from shorefront restaurants and beach clubs has not been thoroughly removed.
Governor Maitree will want the beaches looking perfect, too, because the Fourth Asia Beach Games are being held on Phuket from November 14-21.
As Phuketwan has frequently suggested, the long-term solution is to create a Phuket Beach Authority with the Royal Thai Navy at its core.
Officers in those brilliant white uniforms may be needed at Phuket's beaches from November on to explain to unhappy visitors where those umbrellas and sunbeds have gone. There will be no vendors at many of the beaches to answer the tourists' questions.
Governor Maitree is also likely to be asked what's being planned for the tenth anniversary of the Indian Ocean Tsunami on December 26. There were 5400 deaths, and the big wave was the worst natural disaster ever experienced by Thailand . . . and Sweden. About half of the deaths were people from more than 40 countries.
Although tragic in every aspect, the tsunami made Phuket a household word around the world, even though Khao Lak to the north suffered 10 times as much in deaths and damage.
The awareness, though, of what had happened so soon after Christmas 2004 triggered an unprecedented outpouring of generosity in the days that followed as the tolls rose and as the levels of suffering in Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka became apparent. About 220,000 people perished.
While the deaths deserve to be commemorated, Phuketwan has suggested that the many instances of heroism, the generosity of Thais and the stunning forensic achievement in identifying 90 percent of the 3000 nameless bodies should be celebrated.
If the military government is wise, it will issue tsunami medals 10 years on to those connected to the most outstanding acts of gallantry and community endeavor. There will never be a better time to mark the extraordinary capacity of the Thais involved to behave with courage and compassion in the face of a disaster.
It will be a shame if such a timely opportunity is missed.
You are truly ignorant. Visitors who appreciate nature will replace them. There are far more beautiful places than phukets west coast Beach's. ( phi phi?) Tourists come for the atmosphere and price, being able to sit on the beach and not be ripped off by 5 star hotels for food and drink.
Comprises leads to corruption? Install the navy to control and council permits to manage it in reasonable numbers. No corruption and tax to pay for management of the beaches and all can be happy.
Without this there will be no Thais for tourist to meet, not to mention the upcoming crime wave with thousands unemployed.
Most resorts employ Burmese at near slave wages.
Every action has equal and opposite reaction.
Getting rid of corruption is number one. Then proper legislation to manage a compromise or Phuket is stuffed.
Why are 5 star resorts allowed to be on the beach.but no Thai family run businesses? And yes they should be able to pay rent to councils under the watchful eye of the navy. One breach of licence your gone, no more corruption!
Posted by Anonymous on September 5, 2014 12:55
Editor Comment:
Which five-star resorts are ''on the beach,'' nameless person?