PHUKET: The legality of ''military law'' is being tested in a case that Phuket municipal mayor Ma-Ann Samran says could cost him 10 million baht for obeying orders.
A verdict is scheduled for next Wednesday at Phuket Provincial Court.
Mayor Ma-Ann says the case also tests other aspects of the foreshore clearances on the holiday island in which rows of restaurants and beach clubs were bulldozed at the command of the National Council for Peace and Order.
Compensation is being sought in an action brought on Phuket by Chalemphon Thaworn, operator of Beach Bar Two, and Jalern Sanegasaksri, operator of Porn Seafood.
Both establishments at Laypang beach were flattened after the military took control in Thailand in May last year and ordered the clearance of commerce from Phuket's public sands and foreshores.
While restaurants and beach clubs were speedily demolished at Surin, Bang Tao, Laem Sing, Nai Yang and other beaches, questions about legality have so far preserved other shorefront enterprises.
In the case before Phuket Provincial Court, Mayor Ma-Ann has testified that he was obeying orders when the two contentious properties were demolished at Phuket's Laypang beach.
Mayor Ma-Ann said he was told by a senior officer in the military to flatten the buildings, and that order, given last year after the military took charge in Thailand, overrode any requirement to conform to specifications of the Building Control Act.
In a related matter, officials in Cherng Talay, the municipality headed by Mayor Ma-Ann that oversees Bang Tao, Laypang and Surin beaches, are meeting tomorrow to consider the future of 10 controversial buildings still standing on the foreshore at Surin.
The establishments consist of seven to the north of the road leading to the beach, and three to the south.
Surin has become a successful and appealing five-star beach with the evolution of beach clubs and restaurants along the coastline.
But the initial building permits in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami carefully controlled their size, usage and ownership.
A verdict is scheduled for next Wednesday at Phuket Provincial Court.
Mayor Ma-Ann says the case also tests other aspects of the foreshore clearances on the holiday island in which rows of restaurants and beach clubs were bulldozed at the command of the National Council for Peace and Order.
Compensation is being sought in an action brought on Phuket by Chalemphon Thaworn, operator of Beach Bar Two, and Jalern Sanegasaksri, operator of Porn Seafood.
Both establishments at Laypang beach were flattened after the military took control in Thailand in May last year and ordered the clearance of commerce from Phuket's public sands and foreshores.
While restaurants and beach clubs were speedily demolished at Surin, Bang Tao, Laem Sing, Nai Yang and other beaches, questions about legality have so far preserved other shorefront enterprises.
In the case before Phuket Provincial Court, Mayor Ma-Ann has testified that he was obeying orders when the two contentious properties were demolished at Phuket's Laypang beach.
Mayor Ma-Ann said he was told by a senior officer in the military to flatten the buildings, and that order, given last year after the military took charge in Thailand, overrode any requirement to conform to specifications of the Building Control Act.
In a related matter, officials in Cherng Talay, the municipality headed by Mayor Ma-Ann that oversees Bang Tao, Laypang and Surin beaches, are meeting tomorrow to consider the future of 10 controversial buildings still standing on the foreshore at Surin.
The establishments consist of seven to the north of the road leading to the beach, and three to the south.
Surin has become a successful and appealing five-star beach with the evolution of beach clubs and restaurants along the coastline.
But the initial building permits in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami carefully controlled their size, usage and ownership.
With all respect, I thought an appealing 5 star beach is a natural set up with relaxed atmoshere, where you can also enjoy a peaceful sunset. I think that the evolution of beach clubs at Surin caused exact the opposite with loud beats disturbing any relaxed atmoshere, attracting jet-ski rider type of guys...
Posted by Vince on November 24, 2015 15:32