CHANGES along the coast road between Kamala and Surin have divided local opinion about the future of Laem Singh beach.

There are those who say that exposing the beach to passing traffic is a good move. Others would have preferred trees and roadside foliage to be left intact.

However, with improved traffic safety as one of the objectives, it's difficult to debate action that reduces the risk of mishaps along the winding stretch of road.

What may yet prove an issue once the 700,000 baht viewpoint and improved facilities are installed is whether the Laem Singh beach becomes more popular, or less popular.

Here's a sampling of local opinion:

Supat Kanpai, co-owner with Alax Kanpai of Alax Restaurant, agreed that it was good for tourists passing on the road to be able to look at the sea and the beach. However, she added that she hoped the Orbortor local council maintained the facility and kept it cleaner than some of the roadside bus stop waiting shelters nearby. Numbers of tourists to the beach had dropped by about 30 percent on last high season, she said. Most of the reduction was among German visitors, she said. France and Sweden produced most guests this high season, with Italians predominating in the green season.

Four tuk tuk drivers who did not wish to give their names all agreed that they preferred the trees to be kept because conservation was important. ''Why did they cut them?'' one asked. The men said they all lived locally, but nobody had asked their opinion about the viewpoint.

''Noi,'' who works in a restaurant on the beach, would have preferred the trees to be left untouched ''because of global warming.'' ''Now tourist numbers are down about 50 percent this season,'' she said.

Niwat Kobkeaw, brother of Ali of Ristorante da Ali on the beach, said he disapproved of the lopping. He drove past the downed foliage every day, and preferred it the way it was. ''In my opinion, and the opinion of our regular customers, most people don't like it,'' he said. ''We preferred it when it was natural.'' About 90 or 95 percent of customers at the restaurant are visitors from France, Italy and Spain. Ristorante da Ali had no problem with the economic downturn because of support from regular customers, Khun Niwat said. The Italian food there was popular, and the Thai food, too.

Kittichai Sophorn, at the diving and snorkelling longtail boat business, said he liked the roadside cleared because it gave tourists the chance to see the beach and to stop if they wanted. He also runs fishing trips. Customers had dropped by about 30 to 40 percent this high season, he said. He would like the Orbortor to improve the steep routes down to the beach so elderly and less agile visitors could reach the beach. ''When it rains, the stairs and the other route both become very slippery,'' he said.

Six restaurants open on the beach in high season, three in low season. Six restaurants are still open on the beach.



By Alan Morison
IT'S HARD to argue against a safety measure that will improve the vision of motorists on a winding coastal road that was notoriously dangerous.

A view of the sea is also a vast improvement on the property billboards that once lined this stretch of road.

However, there is one issue for locals to consider. Now it can be more clearly seen, will Laem Singh become less popular, or more popular?

Fans of the beach were once prepared to make the long descent because the beach was secluded and could not be seen from the roadway.

Back then, it was also far less commercial and free of jetskis. Now the beach is in the process of steady local commercial development.

The way in which the sands of some of Phuket's best beaches are being turned to profit should be raising concern about the island's future.

As former Governor Dr Preecha Ruangjan said on more than one occasion, do Phuket residents want to strike a long-lasting balance with nature, or are they more interested in financial returns?

Some of Laem Singh's regular fans will be disappointed by what they find when they visit next time.

If the regulars are replaced by busloads of package tourists, the beach may lose some more of its traditional character and spirit.

The same can be said about many of Phuket's smaller beaches. Phuketwan believes the government has to act quickly to preserve these little gems.

One by one, the character of the smaller beaches is inevitably going to be changed forever. As they become commercial products, some of Phuket's appeal as a tropical island haven will disappear.


Unspoiled Phuket: Here's How to Keep the Magic
Photo Album The mystique of the unspoiled Phuket beach must be retained forever, despite the encroachment of business. With the island governor's support, here is one way to keep the magic.
Unspoiled Phuket: Here's How to Keep the Magic

Viewpoint Will Overlook Laem Singh Cove
Photo Album Large trees have been trimmed in preparation for construction of a viewpoint that will overlook Laem Singh cove, one of Phuket's most secluded beaches, and once a hidden treasure.
Viewpoint Will Overlook Laem Singh Cove

Ristorante Da Ali, Laem Singh Beach
As long as the sand is underfoot and not spread like pepper all over your meal, lunch on the beach is a wonderful experience. And there is no better place to be on Phuket than at Laem Singh, provided the jetskis stay away.
Ristorante Da Ali, Laem Singh Beach