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UPDATE Phuket Beach Vendors Plead to PM Prayuth: Treat Us Like Jet-Ski Operators
By Chutima Sidasathian and Alan Morison Tuesday, September 9, 2014
PHUKET: Between 100 and 200 people from Phuket's holiday west coast massed outside the island administration headquarters at Provincial Hall in Phuket City today, insisting that if jet-skis are allowed on the beaches, they should be, too.
In a letter to Thailand's Prime Minister, Prayuth Chan-ocha, cc'ed to Phuket Governor Maitree Intrusud, the crowd said that as jet-skis and parasailers were allowed to operate by registering with Marine Office 5, the vendors, masseuses and other beach workers should also be entitled to sign on to work on the public sands.
Likewise, tuk-tuks and taxis had to register with the the Phuket Land Transport Department to ply public streets, the letter noted.
Today's protesters, from Patong, Kata, Karon, Kamala and other parts of the holiday coast, said they were as yet unable in many cases to find alternative employment.
Workers felt intimidated because they had been swept out of their jobs without talks. They were denied an opportunity to respond, the letter said.
It was acknowledged that working on the public beaches was strictly illegal, but the services performed for the tourists were a public service.
The crackdown on suspects and arrests should be on the basis of facts, not suspicions, the letter said, otherwise the relationship between honest people and police would be damaged.
Authorities should not behave in an intimidatory fashion otherwise they would damage the reputation of the National Council for Peace and Order.
The letter also asked for a meeting with the owners of restaurants demolished along Phuket's shorefronts to clarify what the future held for them.
A sharp burst of Phuket rain scattered the crowd for shelter and it seemed unlikely the opportunity would return to present the letter directly to Governor Maitree.
However, the rain did clear and Governor Maitree was able to collect the letter to the prime minister in person.
The Phuket Chief of the Marine 5 office, Phuripat Theerakulpisut, told Phuketwan today that the jet-ski registration system worked well and that the partial insurance of the vehicles meant that there were no more disputes with tourists.
Honorary consuls and police volunteers say that just isn't so, and that the lack of comprehensive insurance means there will always be disputes.
Jet-skis remain a hot topic among tourists. Many say they are used by just a small portion of people and their noise and smell disrupts the enjoyment of most holidaymakers.
Beachgoers also say the use of large stretches of sand by parasailers is dangerous and wrong and that they and jet-skis should be banned, as other commercial activities have been.
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Comments
Comments have been disabled for this article.
It would be better for the Phuket beach operators to plead and say loudly "Treat Jet-ski & para-sailing operators like us".
Posted by
Whistle-Blower
on
September 9, 2014 11:51
"But sir, Johnny does it"
"And if Johnny jumped off a cliff would you jump off?
"(*looks sheepish*) No sir"
"Well then go home, and lets hear no more about it"
Posted by
phonus balonus
on
September 9, 2014 11:55
Strange that the jet skis, the group with probably the most complaints, should be left alone?
Posted by
rich
on
September 9, 2014 12:07
Editor Comment:
Parasails take up more of the beaches for commercial activities than any other private enterprise. In fact, now the parasails have the beaches to themselves, interrupted only by jet-skis.
Every time the Phuket Chief of the Marine 5 office, Phuripat Theerakulpisut opens his mouth he comes up with a howler.
Posted by
Arthur
on
September 9, 2014 12:21
My personal Opinion is ban all jet skis on one reason only. It is a watercraft and under laws in various countries the driver must have a license or proper training. Regarding parasailer they do cause noise and disruption on beaches and are dangerous to swimmers.
My view Ban them all..inc beach vendors Jet skis Parasailors - problem solved !
Posted by
paul smith
on
September 9, 2014 12:38
Their request isn't unreasonable. Why do receive jet skies and parasail flyers a better treatment ? No obvious reason for it for the moment. Either all have to go or a controlled and reasonable business on beaches to serve the tourists and their needs should be installed. Many tourist destinations around the world have it - and it even works well !
Posted by
Resident
on
September 9, 2014 13:53
The beaches should either be a) Cleared of all sales and machinery, or b) kept how it was.
I agree with their protests that its not a fair system, and out of the 2 evils, I would prefer loungers and sales people than Jet-skis and Parasailer.
Posted by
Tbs
on
September 9, 2014 14:36
It's oftenly said that Phuket wants quality tourists. But quality tourists has quality demands. And quality tourists has a lots of choices when planning for their next holiday.
Only if Phuket can meet (and preferably exceed) this demands then the quality tourists will choose Phuket and will also come back over and over again.
What does the quality tourists want?
First of all: Clean and tranquill beaches.
As for now, many of Phuket beaches are full of debris and trash. And people are disturbed by the nocie and smell of Jet skis and by parasailors comming down from the sky making people have to run out of their way not to be hit.
What is needed?
One authority that are fully responsible for the beaches of Phuket: Place trash bins on every 50 meters of the beach. Have people employed to clean the beach and empty the trash bins during all the day.
Create zones where sunbeds and umbrellas are allowed, because many people wants/needs it (elderly, children and many others) and let the rest of the beach be free of sunbeds/umbrellas.
Let the beach authority be responsible for those zones and let the income be salary for beach cleaners and lifeguards. Also make sure there are some toilets avaiable along the beaches.
If jet skis and parasailers at all shall be allowed, then let them stay on the very ends of the beaches, so that everyone that wants to enjoy a ride knows that they need to go to the end of the beach, and people on the rest of the beach will not be disturbed.
People walking the beaches selling coconuts, drinks, ice cream is good. Tourists likes to have a coconut, drink or ice cream served when on the beach.
Another important thing is polite and friendly behavior among everyone that meets a tourist. That includes everyone from the beach vendors to the taxi/tuktuk drivers to restaurant staff and immigration officers. Everyone is a small piece of the big picture that makes a good or bad holiday.
If Phuket wants quality tourists and their money, then its time to start working and caring to get them here and to make them satisfied, or they will for sure spend their holidays and money in another place!
Posted by
PhuketFriendly
on
September 9, 2014 14:52
Editor Comment:
You either allow sunbeds and jetskis, or you have no sunbeds and jetskis. No destination targeting ecotourism has jetskis or sunbeds.
The way I remember it unfolding was the Jet-ski guys threatened to turn to worse crimes if they weren't allowed to keep ripping people off on the beach !
Posted by
Zig
on
September 9, 2014 14:57
Editor Comment:
You remember it wrong, zig. Some people fear they might turn to crime. That's not something the jet-ski people said.
Editor, thanks for your comment.
I have been on world famous beaches, where parts of the beaches has sunbeds/umbrellas and parts of the beaches has not. Its a perfect solution for everyone!
Regarding the jest skis and parasailors: I agree with you, they shuold??nt be allowed at all!
Posted by
PhuketFriendly
on
September 9, 2014 15:17
Editor Comment:
Phuket started off with one row of sunbeds on one beach. If that is done again, there will be others saying 'We need a second row because the tourists like them.' As has been proven, it's not within the capacity of local councils to enforce beach rules. Any sunbeds on the beaches will lead straight back to chaos.
What looked like the entire Phuket police force were on Kata yesterday clearing out the few beach vendors who dared to continue with their businesses (surfboards and ice creams). Karon, on the other hand had the jet skis out as usual.
Fair is not a word which translates in the Thai language, I think.
A lot has been said and speculated about the Marine 5 office and with good reason. Jet skis and parasail outfits ALWAYS seem to survive - even when they were supposed to be banned.
Posted by
john
on
September 9, 2014 15:34
Editor Comment:
Jet-skis not only survive but have also appeared on beaches where there weren't supposed to be any. Questions should be asked about how that happened.
'but the services performed for the tourists were a public service'
They simply don't get it. They were never providing a public service. They were making unfair (& illegal & probably undeclared) income whilst those paying rent for shops were losing customers.
Posted by
Logic
on
September 9, 2014 15:46
The implication was made and as we all know they're still controlling large areas of the beach. Any one who thinks they don't intimidate is just kidding themselves.
Posted by
Zig
on
September 9, 2014 15:47
We come to Phuket for peace and quiet. The jetskiers are a pain in the proverbial and should be banned. It is about time the authorities clamped down. As to the vendors, they have to earn a living and cause no harm to tourists. Laissez faire!!
Posted by
Anonymous
on
September 9, 2014 15:57
Is it not now against the law to gather in groups of 5 or more?
Posted by
phuket madness
on
September 9, 2014 15:59
Editor Comment:
If there's some political motivation, you could be in trouble. In defence of your right to work? Unlikely.
@PhuketFriendly
"famous" beaches are still not synonym to the best ones, as these are mostly either most marketed or simply best attended, and it is not often that it overlaps with "the best beach" quality.
Posted by
Sue
on
September 9, 2014 16:02
Editor Comment:
It has become evident that not everyone comes to Phuket for the beaches anymore. But as the island becomes one big city hub for shopping and fun and access to the beauty around it, the beaches and reefs must be maintained and protected to a high standard.
They're women, that's why they won't get equal treatment.
Posted by
The Mare Crisium
on
September 9, 2014 16:48
Editor Comment:
Gender doesn't come into it, TMC. Beach vendors come in all shapes, sizes and sexes. The vendors, however, do not appear to have the same organisation or support as the jet-ski operators, who happen to be all-male. If you must add Western feminist furphies to the mix, please stir your thoughts with logic first. Otherwise it's just '70s propaganda.
It was acknowledged that working on the public beaches was strictly illegal, this whole story should end right here also illegal to operate a jet ski without the appropriate master of vessel certificate which seems a minor technicality in Thailand same with motorcycle rentals meant to be licensed to do so but its business as usual.
Posted by
slickmelb
on
September 9, 2014 16:58
Their argument they provide a public service is laughable life savers are a public service first aiders are a public service not touts pests jet skis and parasailing operators with this logic applied they would have prostitutes rent boys & katoys roaming the beaches claiming supplying of a public service.
Posted by
slickmelb
on
September 9, 2014 18:06
Editor Comment:
That said, the jet-ski guys do help out when required in searches etc. It's just that borrowing lifeguard flags to wave to bring in machines is probably not sensible.
It is quite simple. As long as NCPO allows noisy, poluting and dangerous Jet ski and parasailing activities, the phuket beach vendors will feel that as a kind of discrimination. Specially as the whole jetski thing is operating illigal, ( no thai maritime licenses). Are the boat captains of the parasailbusiness examend/licensed according the thai maritime laws?
Posted by
Kurt
on
September 9, 2014 19:31
Editor Comment:
Yes. Well, equality is something PM Prayuth insists upon.
. No destination targeting ecotourism has jetskis or sunbeds.....
Erm Ed Langkawi does !
Posted by
Paul smith
on
September 9, 2014 20:09
Editor Comment:
As I said, ''No destination targeting ecotourism has jetskis or sunbeds.....''
(moderated)
Posted by
phonus balonus
on
September 9, 2014 20:18
Editor Comment:
Don't like the journalism here, phonus? Fine. We don't think much of your valueless opinions. Goodbye.
The editor said: "It has become evident that not everyone comes to Phuket for the beaches anymore."
What do you mean by "anymore"? And you are so right, a lot of tourists come just for Bangla Road.
Posted by
Peter
on
September 9, 2014 23:18
Editor Comment:
There was a time when the beaches were why people came to Phuket but that's not true anymore. Yet the beaches and their proper care remain an important indicator of the concern of authorities for the other natural attractions (reefs, Phang Nga bay etc) that continue to attract tourists. Bangla Road has probably never been less appealing. You may be an exception, peter.
It's PW picture on the article that shows all women. Sexism is alive and thriving in Thailand- no 70's about it.
Posted by
The Night Mare
on
September 10, 2014 13:00
Editor Comment:
If you look at all the photos, not just one, you will find men, too. Pointless going through life justifying a pesonal bias, TNM. You are being sexist. Try the real world.
Errr ED
Factual comments PLease
Kilim Geo Park and Mangroves Tour
Also known as the Kilim Karst Geoforest Park, this 100 square kilometer area in Langkawi is a nature reserve and a collection of geo-sites full of amazing flora & fauna, and stunning geological formations like mammoth limestone rocks, fossils, caves, lagoons, beaches and seascapes. The whole area is administered and protected by the Peninsular Malaysia Forestry Department. It is part of the larger Langkawi Geopark and one of the biggest hot spots of ECO TOURISM in the entire region.
Posted by
paul smith
on
September 10, 2014 15:22
Langkawi: Malaysia's ecotourism hotspot with an eerie past
Listing as a UNESCO Geopark has stopped developers overrunning this wildlife-rich island cluster on the Andaman Sea
Yep thought so ED Langkawi a eco tourism hotspot has Jet Skis , Sunbeds, Unbrellas
Posted by
Pete Smith
on
September 10, 2014 16:03
And if the fore ground showed predominantly males it would still be sexist in the opinion of some. Isn't that correct TNM?
Another word commonly abused by majority groups to justify their prejudice against the majority. Or am I just being sexist?
Posted by
Manowar
on
September 10, 2014 17:04
@The Night Mare
If you have been to the beach, then you should know that great proportion of beach vendors were males, selling coconut-oil-is-good-for-your-skin-against-sun, sunglasses, spring rolls, tattooing, ice-cream, whatever you can find at Grand Bazaar - wooden elephants, hammocks etc., and they fallen out of business along with female vendors.
Posted by
Sue
on
September 10, 2014 22:55
Shortly I came to Phuket in March I realize that Kata or Karon is not paradise for swimmers. Many of tourist, especially from Asia, has no idea how to ride a jet ski and often come close to the beach and close to the people. Once I was almost hit. Few times I crossed the path with the boat pulling the para-sail. They did wave on me to move away, sometimes they whistle from the beach. How can I enjoy swimming if I have to constantly watch out for crazy people on Jet Ski or speed boats?
Posted by
hamistagan
on
September 11, 2014 23:29
I'm a tourist and visiting Tailand for last 10 years. And I vote to return all chairs-umbrellas owners, and food sellers.
Posted by
Andrey
on
September 12, 2014 15:48
Editor Comment:
It's not being put to the vote, Andrey, but tourists, expat residents and locals all voted in a newspaper poll by a substantial majority to keep the sunbeds and umbrellas off the beaches.
I never had a Problem with the beach vendors. They provide a kind of service most people appreciate. But how is it possible jet-skis and parasails are not banned? Never met someone who said they are a good Thing.
Posted by
Domi
on
September 12, 2014 18:49
Read the comments on for example Tripadvisor instead of "the truth of the votes".
Posted by
Peter
on
September 13, 2014 03:58
I went to my favorite part of Bang . few days ago to swim. Not only was there debris everywhere, small pieces of sharp rock and tile that excavators can't pick up, but there wasn't a soul in sight so I felt it too dangerous to get in the water. Bring back the services before tourist season or face losses.
Posted by
The Mare Crisium
on
September 13, 2014 09:44
Editor Comment:
Oh, always the money first, TMC. And never a kind word about anyone.
"Bring back the services before tourist season or face losses" Which kind of services? The same because now there are many debris, sharp small pieces of cement and many other piecse of **** on the beach??
Posted by
dave
on
September 13, 2014 10:29
Last year, the my agency has booked holiday to Phuket for 1250 families. This year only 5 people have booked. Without sunshades and sunbeds without families do not want more come to Phuket.Beaches without services while jet-sky and parachutes have become masters of the beaches.
From next November will see results.
Posted by
augusto
on
September 15, 2014 14:48
"You remember it wrong, zig. Some people fear [the jet ski people] might turn to crime. That's not something the jet-ski people said. -Ed"
Phuketwan, August 2, 2014:
"PHUKET: Jet-ski operators in Patong have defied an Army order and returned to the beach because of fears that some beach boys will resort to crime if they go without pay any longer.
Nucha Petchvimol, President of the Jet-Ski Association of Phuket, told Phuketwan today that the operators had returned to work today - just four days into the week-long ban - out of fear of the consequences of broke beach boys turning to prey on residents or tourists."
http://phuketwan.com/tourism/phuket-jet-skis-defy-army-order-return-patong-beach-stave-outbreak-crime-20746/
Posted by
Nomadjoe
on
September 19, 2014 11:00
Editor Comment:
Some people fear [the jet ski people] might turn to crime. That's not something the jet-ski people said.
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It would be better for the Phuket beach operators to plead and say loudly "Treat Jet-ski & para-sailing operators like us".
Posted by Whistle-Blower on September 9, 2014 11:51