PHUKET: A flare-up on Facebook has prompted a local mayor on Phuket to inspect a fence that appears to be being erected in sand at Bang Tao beach at the edge of the Laguna Phuket resorts.

Naluto Casaoveel drew the attention of the local mayor to the fence by posting photographs and adding sharp comments.

Cherng Talay Mayor Ma-Ann Samran said in response that he would be at the fence near Laguna Phuket at 9am on Tuesday with representatives from the Thalang Land Titles office, the military, local village leaders, the senior officer of the Thalang district and ''the owner.''

Laguna Phuket management was less than happy with some of the local businesses on the beach outside the property.

Famously, a rival resort once opened a time-share agency on the beach, when Laguna Phuket was promoting its own vacation club brand.

Beach restaurants have since been cleared from around the resort, as they have been cleared at nearly all Phuket beaches.

Whether the purpose of the neat white fence is to keep people out or keep people in may become clearer on Tuesday.