SOME of Phuket's oldest and most impressive beachfront trees are in danger of toppling as the sea undermines their grip.
Five tall trees at Nai Yang beach, close to the airport on Phuket's west coast, have already tumbled so far this year.
More will topple unless urgent erosion prevention measures are taken, says the Director of the Sirinath National Park, Nontavit Jaturabunthid.
''We've asked Prince of Songkla University researchers how much it would cost to put in protection against the waves, and the cost is five million baht,'' Khun Nontavit said.
''We don't have the money at present.''
Khun Nontavit plans to ask the Chief Executive of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation, Paiboon Upatising, for help in raising the funds.
''If we cannot start the rescue process soon, the monsoon season will bring big waves and we will lose more trees,'' he said.
Nai Yang, less developed than many of Phuket's beaches further south, adjoins the Sirinath National Park and has a reputation for the quieter kind of holiday that Phuket was once all about.
Phuket's Fightback Strategy: Governor Set to FlyFive tall trees at Nai Yang beach, close to the airport on Phuket's west coast, have already tumbled so far this year.
More will topple unless urgent erosion prevention measures are taken, says the Director of the Sirinath National Park, Nontavit Jaturabunthid.
''We've asked Prince of Songkla University researchers how much it would cost to put in protection against the waves, and the cost is five million baht,'' Khun Nontavit said.
''We don't have the money at present.''
Khun Nontavit plans to ask the Chief Executive of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation, Paiboon Upatising, for help in raising the funds.
''If we cannot start the rescue process soon, the monsoon season will bring big waves and we will lose more trees,'' he said.
Nai Yang, less developed than many of Phuket's beaches further south, adjoins the Sirinath National Park and has a reputation for the quieter kind of holiday that Phuket was once all about.
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"the cost is five million baht" - Hmmm. There is big money in trees on this island.
Editor: Treelover, we've cut your commentary. The implication that trees and corruption are somehow linked has to be treated like every other idle island link-the-dots accusation: provide the proof and we'll happily publish it. Fighting sea erosion is expensive. We've seen the erosion at Nai Yang and we have no doubt it would cost five million baht to properly protect the trees there.
Posted by Treelover on March 5, 2010 05:54