TWO RESTAURANTS on Karon beach attracted more high-profile officials today amid a continuing debate about their future.
Playing the role of mediator, the Director of Muang District, Supachai Pochanukul, promised ''fairness to both sides'' in his attempts to negotiate a settlement.
He said complaints had been received, but did not specify the source of the objections.
Among those looking on under the tent-like awnings at the restaurants today were Vice Governor Niwit Aroonrat and Phuket's Police Commander, Major General Pekad Tantipong.
Late yesterday, Navin ''Dam'' Pongkratin, who runs one of the restaurants, went to Chalong police station and made a statement seeking an investigation into five aspects of the ownership and development of the land that borders the beach at the northern end of Karon.
The land is now home to the newly-opened Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket, the only resort with a frontage directly onto Karon beach. The two restaurants are on the beach in front of the Centara.
Focus of attention today was the toilet jointly used by the two restaurants and the kitchen used by Khun Dam's nameless restaurant. Alongside his restaurant is his brother Suwit's larger establishment, the Lex Restaurant, which has a separate thatch hut kitchen.
Officials have told the two men that the toilet and the kitchen for the nameless restaurant have to go.
Authorities have said that the toilet, which the brothers claim has been there for 20 years, can be replaced by a new one on public land nearby. Details of the new site and facility are as yet not specific.
At high tide, the sea washes through most of the tented awnings covering the two restaurants, a factor that accounted for the presence today in talks of Phuripat Theerakulpisut, Chief of Marine Office 5, Phuket Branch. The Marine Office also oversees Phuket's tankers, yachts and jet-skis.
A third eatery, Daeng Restaurant, is off to one side at the end of the beach and not involved in the current dispute. Early reports of a public protest in Karon over the issue turned out to be incorrect.
Several other west coast beaches have restaurants on the sand.
Phuket's Battle of the Beach RestaurantsPlaying the role of mediator, the Director of Muang District, Supachai Pochanukul, promised ''fairness to both sides'' in his attempts to negotiate a settlement.
He said complaints had been received, but did not specify the source of the objections.
Among those looking on under the tent-like awnings at the restaurants today were Vice Governor Niwit Aroonrat and Phuket's Police Commander, Major General Pekad Tantipong.
Late yesterday, Navin ''Dam'' Pongkratin, who runs one of the restaurants, went to Chalong police station and made a statement seeking an investigation into five aspects of the ownership and development of the land that borders the beach at the northern end of Karon.
The land is now home to the newly-opened Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket, the only resort with a frontage directly onto Karon beach. The two restaurants are on the beach in front of the Centara.
Focus of attention today was the toilet jointly used by the two restaurants and the kitchen used by Khun Dam's nameless restaurant. Alongside his restaurant is his brother Suwit's larger establishment, the Lex Restaurant, which has a separate thatch hut kitchen.
Officials have told the two men that the toilet and the kitchen for the nameless restaurant have to go.
Authorities have said that the toilet, which the brothers claim has been there for 20 years, can be replaced by a new one on public land nearby. Details of the new site and facility are as yet not specific.
At high tide, the sea washes through most of the tented awnings covering the two restaurants, a factor that accounted for the presence today in talks of Phuripat Theerakulpisut, Chief of Marine Office 5, Phuket Branch. The Marine Office also oversees Phuket's tankers, yachts and jet-skis.
A third eatery, Daeng Restaurant, is off to one side at the end of the beach and not involved in the current dispute. Early reports of a public protest in Karon over the issue turned out to be incorrect.
Several other west coast beaches have restaurants on the sand.
News Update Restaurant proprietors on a popular Phuket beach say they will fight to stay open. Officials have ordered them to shut. The restaurants are on Karon beach, in front of a new resort.
Phuket's Battle of the Beach Restaurants
Phuket Police Aim to Make Patong Carnival Safer
Latest Patong police are stepping up security awareness and taking on a team of expats to help with any problems that may arise at the Patong Carnival, with two stages for performances.
Phuket Police Aim to Make Patong Carnival Safer
Tsunami Night Drill: Photo Special
Photo Album Phuket stages its first night tsunami drill almost six years after the big wave, with some puzzled tourists indicating the word about the practice did not get to everyone.
Tsunami Night Drill: Photo Special
Phuket Graveyard Shrinks: Two Boats Saved
Photo Album Rescue has come for two more boats in different ways, with a dive boat pulling one vessel free and tourists pushing the other from the graveyard on Phuket's Kata beach.
Phuket Graveyard Shrinks: Two Boats Saved
Phuket's Building Boom: No End in Sight
Latest Another 26 projects are seeking application to build on Phuket, an indication at year's end that the rate of construction on the island will continue without end into the future.
Phuket's Building Boom: No End in Sight
Interesting story. Your reporter should carry out more research on Karon though. The Karon beach resort is at the southern end of karon beach, on the beach last time I looked. Hope this impasse is resolved soon. Like the new look site.
Posted by Mother from brisbane on December 16, 2010 02:36