Phuket May Lose Surf Titles Because of Bill
By Chutima Sidasathian Friday, July 8, 2011
PHUKET: The annual Phuket surfing titles may be abandoned this year because local authorities are asking for 500,000 baht to run what has previously been a free event.
Quiksilver officials have yet to respond to the request for the money for the three-day event at Phuket's Kata beach, held last year in September.
The request for cash may have caught Quiksilver by surprise - just as Phuketwan's questions about the cash request surprised Kata-Karon mayor Tawee Tongchem today.
''They (Quiksilver) came to meet us just once,'' he said. ''The deal cannot be made because they plan a party on the beach. We haven't heard back since.''
When asked whether it was true that authorities had asked for 500,000 baht to stage the event this year, Khun Tawee said: ''Oh yes, they have to pay for the local committee as well.''
Do you mean Kata-Karon officials?
''No no. Better you ask Khun Somchai, president of the Kata-Karon Hotels Association. He knows better than me.''
When Phuketwan called Khun Somchai Sinlapanon today, he said: ''The deal must be between Quiksilver and the local tessaban council. Nothing to do with me or the local hotels.
''I don't know what it means. I don't know means I don't know. I think I know as much as you know. If I know, I will tell you I know.''
Surfers from many countries have attended previous annual events, putting Phuket on the international surfing map. Other countries would welcome the attention that the event brings.
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Comments
Comments have been disabled for this article.
Greed is the Name of the game in Kata and Karon . Take it to Surin, Kalim or another beach please, Quicksilver.
Posted by
lord Jim
on
July 8, 2011 11:13
I have to go with Lord Jim here, take it to first choice Surin Beach, then second choice Kalim.
Leave Kata and Karon out of it and the Kata-Karon officials will soon learn that their greed will loose them events.
Posted by
Robin
on
July 8, 2011 12:13
Definitely greed, this type of thing has happened before with other events, especially if there is a sponsor, maybe there should be a set price to hire the beach for events, and see where the money goes? good report...
Posted by
johndev
on
July 8, 2011 13:30
Once again...its all about money..it never never ends....
Posted by
sky
on
July 8, 2011 15:58
What does Quicksilver get for this fee for a "public" place. Security, rubbish collection etc. Even if they provide these services at that money the rubbish collectors must earn a good salary. How do they reach the round figure of 500,000 baht?
Posted by
Adam
on
July 8, 2011 17:23
Come to Khao Lak-Phang Nga, unspoiled beaches, very good surf in September, very good Hotels, and above all: less greed - more cooperation.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
July 8, 2011 18:50
Quiksilver have events in many countries and each one is happy to have them, as it promotes a healthy youth beach activity and emphasises safety in the surf. Worldwide notice of each location via magazines and webcasts are a feature of a Quiky Contest. This is invaluable tourism assistance and it is free Kata Beach promotion.It is the stuff that the TAT pays thousands for. Why would you shoot yourself in the foot by driving away an international event in the heart of low season.
Posted by
Hugh
on
July 8, 2011 18:55
do these people who are asking for 500,000 baht have a clue as to what they risk losing if Quicksilver pulls out of Kata...what about all the money that filters into that area/economy from the participants of the event as well as those who come to observe...hotel stay, meals at restaurants and many other miscellaneous things ...Here is something that is a great benefit to this town and its gaining in popularity with each year...
Posted by
sky
on
July 8, 2011 18:56
If this "committee" DOES include some Kata-Karon Hotels Association personnel, I am sure other hotel association members would not be happy about the cancellations they can expect.
Quicksilver alone would account for about 100 room-nights by my reckoning.Then there's the other sponsors, international competitors, support, spectators, advance bookings etc...a lot of accommodation revenue lost for starters.
Posted by
Nah Ghnern
on
July 8, 2011 19:34
I judged the Kata surf contest a few years ago. It wasn't sponsored by Quiksilver that year It was set up by local surf clubs. Maybe Quicksilver should just drop their name again from the event and it can go back to a locals only event again and some greedy local people that are after 500,000 THB can get stuffed!
Posted by
Jimi
on
July 9, 2011 03:07
This event brings immense positive publicity and room bookings for Kata-Karon. The municipality should be paying Quiksilver!!!
Posted by
Jacob
on
July 12, 2011 10:26
Lets not forget that its the surfers who do the majority of lifesaving on these beaches. Kata and Karon - you should be supporting these events not trying to take money off them.
Posted by
Moggs
on
July 12, 2011 16:10
Editor Comment:
That's not true, Moggs. The surfers are only there when there are waves on the beaches. It certainly helps to have them there, though.
Dear ED, what Moggs said it's absolutely true. I personally saved mor than 3 people, but my best friend, a big guy very good surfer, save someone every weeks. Believe me.
Posted by
Dave
on
July 12, 2011 19:20
Editor Comment:
I am not saying that surfers don't rescue swimmers, only that they are not there when there are no waves, Dave. I know you also regard the lifeguards highly.
Whilst paid life savers do an outstanding job, surfers are always the first line of protection and safety for those in trouble in heavy seas.Their service to those in trouble is generally unrecognised when troubled swimmers are returned to the beach or directed to safer rip-free zones by these boardriders.
Often the rescued are supported on surfboards, then passed over to life-savers who record the rescue as their own (and this is not a criticism of the life-guards, simply a recording measure).
Encouraging surfing introduces a "surf-sense" mindset to a beach, and provides a secondary FREE rescue service.
As well, there could not be a healthier water-sport to become involved in.
I know. I am a Phuket surfer.
What a shame, Kata Greed cannot understand these benefits.
Posted by
Hugh Jarse
on
July 13, 2011 08:57
Editor Comment:
No denying the benefits of having surfers in the water off Phuket, but they aren't always there when needed and are not equally distributed between the 13 west coast beaches where lifeguards now operate year-round.
EDS COMMENT:
That's not true, Moggs. The surfers are only there when there are waves on the beaches. It certainly helps to have them there, though.
Its your statement thats not true Ed ...its probably only the time that there are in fact waves on the beaches, that problems arise..therefore that is also the time that the surfers are also there..Yes??
Posted by
davidj949
on
July 13, 2011 10:02
Editor Comment:
No. There are drownings on Phuket beaches all year long, davidj949. On January 1 last year, for example, 10 year old Max drowned at Nai Harn. He could have used a surfer or two. Some beaches are dangerous, but not popular with surfers - Nai Thon, for example. Surfers certainly help, but they are there to surf. This is hardly worth debating.
Your dead right ED. Life Guards should never be taken for granted, and surfers will only ever be where the waves are (probably Kata more than anywhere else).
But it is sure nice to know that they have the skills and experience necessary at the right time when needed.
Posted by
Hugh Jarse
on
July 13, 2011 11:00
Yes, when it's time to assign blame, let the finger pointing begin - Kata-Karon mayor versus Kata-Karon Hotels Association.
But when there's money to be shared, let me be the one.
Posted by
May
on
July 15, 2011 15:04
Not surprising when you consider 90% of the millions of dollars donated to help the Tsunami victims, families, etc was stolen by corrupt officials. (moderated).
Posted by
dfy
on
July 24, 2011 12:08
Editor Comment:
Untrue, a lie of grand proportions.Thailand rejected international assistance and most non-government aid was carefully overseen by well-known international organisations.
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Greed is the Name of the game in Kata and Karon . Take it to Surin, Kalim or another beach please, Quicksilver.
Posted by lord Jim on July 8, 2011 11:13