PHUKET: The Royal Thai Navy is moving to end encroachment and misuse of beaches on islands offshore from Phuket - beginning with Racha, a popular day-trip destination, where one operator reportedly continues to put out sunbeds and umbrellas.
On June 1, a Navy team visited Racha and told locals that the operation of private businesses on public beaches would no longer be tolerated.
However, one sunbed operator is reported to have declined to follow the other nine operators into early retirement.
The Navy is expected to return to the island next week to gently persuade the operator to join the majority.
Action on other islands, where restaurants have been built to service day-trip tourists, and where some people claim to ''own'' islands that are largely beaches, is likely to follow.
Sarit Jandee, a member of Racha's Conservation Group,lodged a complaint with the Damrungtam complaints office on Phuket about the continued use of Racha by a sunbed operator.
He was told that Phuket Governor Maitree Intrusud had yet to approve action on the complaint.
Khun Sarit has decided instead to complain to the Army's top officer on Phuket, Major General Somchai Ponatong.
Khun Sarit added that on a visit to Racha in October last year, the governor undertook to look at ways of boosting lifeguards on the island, where Chinese day-trippers especially have drowned in a series of tragic incidents.
Nothing had been done, Khun Sarit said.
On June 1, a Navy team visited Racha and told locals that the operation of private businesses on public beaches would no longer be tolerated.
However, one sunbed operator is reported to have declined to follow the other nine operators into early retirement.
The Navy is expected to return to the island next week to gently persuade the operator to join the majority.
Action on other islands, where restaurants have been built to service day-trip tourists, and where some people claim to ''own'' islands that are largely beaches, is likely to follow.
Sarit Jandee, a member of Racha's Conservation Group,lodged a complaint with the Damrungtam complaints office on Phuket about the continued use of Racha by a sunbed operator.
He was told that Phuket Governor Maitree Intrusud had yet to approve action on the complaint.
Khun Sarit has decided instead to complain to the Army's top officer on Phuket, Major General Somchai Ponatong.
Khun Sarit added that on a visit to Racha in October last year, the governor undertook to look at ways of boosting lifeguards on the island, where Chinese day-trippers especially have drowned in a series of tragic incidents.
Nothing had been done, Khun Sarit said.
I went for a walk to Patong beach yesterday late afternoon.
What a pleasure to stroll along this wonderful stretch of sand, now that it is actually physically possible to see it from beginning to end, without umbrellas and beds.
Also jet-skis are far more discreet but parasailing people are still disturbing everybody.
Anyway, I like Patong a bit more by now.
Posted by william on August 17, 2014 17:11