PHUKET: Krabi is fighting to avoid the pitfalls of Phuket as beach vendors attempt to take a sandy toehold.
Jet-skis, loungers and umbrellas and touts with gibbons for photo opportunities are seen from time to time.
December 15 brings a key meeting between administrators, the private sector and other groups to create a ''Krabi Blueprint'' that will be locked in by January 15, said the Acting president of the Guides Association of Krabi, Watthana Rengsamud.
''Quality and international standards are what Krabi is all about,'' she said. ''The mystery deaths of the Belanger sisters on Phi Phi earlier this year brought an international reaction.
''We realised then that all our activities are inter-connected, and we needed to coordinate in a much more efficient way.''
There was now a ''complete understanding'' of the need to meet to talk and co-operate on the big issues facing Krabi, she said.
''In many ways we are fortunate to be able to see what's happened on Phuket as the island has developed,'' Khun Watthana added.
''We didn't want to be like Phuket. We can adapt and solve problems.''
She said there has been one group of beach vendors who began on Railay beach and were forced from there to Ao Nang.
''People will say, 'This is our livelihood and a means for us to make money from tourism.' We understand that people with just a little income always seek a little more.
''However, the big picture is more important and it is what will help everybody on Krabi prosper in future.''
Jet-skis, loungers and umbrellas and touts with gibbons for photo opportunities are seen from time to time.
December 15 brings a key meeting between administrators, the private sector and other groups to create a ''Krabi Blueprint'' that will be locked in by January 15, said the Acting president of the Guides Association of Krabi, Watthana Rengsamud.
''Quality and international standards are what Krabi is all about,'' she said. ''The mystery deaths of the Belanger sisters on Phi Phi earlier this year brought an international reaction.
''We realised then that all our activities are inter-connected, and we needed to coordinate in a much more efficient way.''
There was now a ''complete understanding'' of the need to meet to talk and co-operate on the big issues facing Krabi, she said.
''In many ways we are fortunate to be able to see what's happened on Phuket as the island has developed,'' Khun Watthana added.
''We didn't want to be like Phuket. We can adapt and solve problems.''
She said there has been one group of beach vendors who began on Railay beach and were forced from there to Ao Nang.
''People will say, 'This is our livelihood and a means for us to make money from tourism.' We understand that people with just a little income always seek a little more.
''However, the big picture is more important and it is what will help everybody on Krabi prosper in future.''
So if Krabi Province is able to do it why Phuket Province can not di it? Corruption among civil servants by predators in the tourism businesses may be the main cause of lack of clampdown of illegal businesses in Phuket.
Posted by Whistle-Blower on November 23, 2012 11:33