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Danger ignored: Swimmers go into the jet-ski zone at Patong today

Phuket's Beaches Go Back to Business

Sunday, November 30, 2014
PHUKET: Vendors are back on Phuket's beaches in large numbers, a survey by Phuketwan found today at Patong, Kamala and Surin.

A chair salesman, doing brisk business at Kamala, was proving that it will take that big e-word - enforcement - to maintain the peace and order.

That's what was supposed to be imposed when the Army and local authorities cleared the beaches of commercial activities about six months ago.

The new zoning at Patong, separating the swimmers from the jet-skis, seems destined to fail.

Why? because nobody has told the swimmers that Patong beach is no longer a swimmers' beach, but a jet-ski priority beach.

Many of the swimmers were treating the beach as if it was a place for people to swim, walking into the sea to enjoy themselves - in the jet-ski zones.

There was nobody on the beach to tell them they were putting their lives at risk. There was no enforcement of any kind to be seen.

The large stretches of Patong beach now devoted to jet-skis mean that the machines have won and that swimmers simply get in the way of business at Phuket's best-known beach.

Elsewhere, commerce in Thailand's public spaces is also winning out.

The Surin beach car park is packed again with food vendors' stalls. The Surin beach clubs continue to claim large areas of public space for the use of their customers.

At Kamala, vendors are moving back onto both sides of the shorefront path.

Patong, though, is the beach with the biggest problems.

If the mayor imposes a zoning system that is supposed to keep the tourists separated and safe from the jet-skis yet provides no enforcement, it is only a matter of time before a tourist is injured or killed.

The jet-skis and parasails should be banned because they are dangerous. Years ago, Phuket opted to get rid of them.

Yet they are now taking over more of the beach at Patong than ever. Why? In Phang Nga and Krabi, the lives of tourists are not put at risk by jet-skis - because there are none.

The machines are banned in those two provinces.

Phuket's future will remain in jeopardy as long as the authorities opt to make easy compromises that are not enforced and that are designed to please local business interests, not safeguard tourists' lives.

Comments

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I'm becoming more and more frustrated here in Phuket and especially after reading this article I feel defeated. I've put so much hope in the recent positive changes by the army and genuinely thought that local authorities would adhere. Stupidity prevails over and over again. They never learn and will never learn. In years 'ahum' from now Phuket will be solely filled with tour group tourists, 'all inclusive' resorts and trash 'long termer's' who don't give a damn. Swimming among plastic bags in heavily polluted water in a commercialised beach setting while inhaling the fumes of jetski's. No thank you.

Posted by Richard on November 30, 2014 21:57

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When the cats away - the mice do play..

Posted by farang888 on November 30, 2014 22:38

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It's beyond a joke- in Kamala vendors are in plain sight of the Police Station.

Posted by Mister Ree on November 30, 2014 22:49

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After a 7 month absence, I returned to Phuket with some hope based on all the good articles I have been reading; I arrived on Thursday & within 3 days am totally disillusioned.

The sun loungers have disappeared but that is about the only + box I can tick.

As you so clearly state, the beaches are rapidly showing signs of returning to what they were with jet skis, para sailors going pretty well where they please. Vendors operating in plain view of the police box by Patong beach.

More distressing is that I was warned off parking not just my car, but my motorbike, by persons 'unidentified' informing me this is tuk tuk parking. The threat was clear!

I was in Patong shopping & took an afternoon stroll down Soi Bangla for a look see; never have I been accosted by so many time share touts (read 'aggressive louts').

I took some friends to Soi Bangla in the evening & we were hard pressed to get into the soi for the hoards of aggressive 'ping pong show salespersons' who were pushy & rude; more than I have ever seen before.

I am hearing all & sundry (Farang & Thai) bemoaning that it is reverting to worse than before. On the evidence I have seen these first 3 days, I have to agree.

There was little or no police presence, apart from 1 road block, & the military seem to have disappeared (unless they are in plain clothes waiting to pounce).

I won't be staying for long. Even if there was a call center to raise complaint, I have no intention of spending my precious time off chasing an apparently lost cause. It is sickening & saddening beyond belief.

The Phuket 'Golden Goose' is well & truly cooked!

Posted by Logic on December 1, 2014 03:57

Editor Comment:

The period between now and the next high season is a chance for Phuket's problems to be sorted . . . or not. What's strange is that for a week or so, the authorities think it's worth saving. Then the process stops.

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You sound like a doomsayer Alan, you were verbally very critical of those that new how it would end up, it is a power shift, the money just go's into different pockets now but its the same money, TIT, it will never change, like it or lump it!

Posted by coxo on December 1, 2014 07:18

Editor Comment:

Doomsayers are not capable of envisioning change, coxo, even though it's inevitable. Their views are worthless.

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The contest between Editor Versus Doomsayers has been decisively won by the Doomsayers.

Sorry Ed. We're in Thailand. You didn't stand a chance.

Posted by Sir Burr on December 1, 2014 07:19

Editor Comment:

That contest is all in your imagination-free mind, Sir Burr. Expect more change, whether it be for better or worse. You are married to the mob.

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I am not surprised that everything comes back to the state as it was before. And we shouldn't be surprised. After all, we as westerners have no right to change the Thais view of doing business. Some people are talking here about vendors on the beach. Why can't these people walk up and down the beach on a hot day, trying to make some money? What's next? Trying to get rid of the street stalls that sell the typical Thai food? After all, the roads are public space as well. Does that mean that the Thai people can not use it for making money? This is Thailand. Not some European country, or Australia. And all these things that are different from the home countries from many expats, and visitors, are actually the reasons why people visit this place.People don't want to be ripped off, but hey, there is nobody that says that you have to ride a jetski, or an elephant, or see a ping pong show, or get your picture taken with a loris, or buy timeshare. Just enjoy the country, and it's people and culture, and avoid the small percentage of gangsters.

Posted by Carl on December 1, 2014 08:42

Editor Comment:

Problems arise when the small percentage of gangsters becomes a large percentage of gangsters, as in parts of Phuket.

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More problems are occurring. Press Freedom & Freedom of Speach are clearly not so preached or wanted by this government. We should have an independent "host". There is still a lot more to report. But where is your contribution safe?

Posted by phuketgreed on December 1, 2014 09:22

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@ Carl- you miss the point - the roads ARE public space and there for EVERYONE to use. Try attempting to park a car or a motorbike in a perfectly legal space and see how long you last.

This week I have personally witnessed 2 people telling legally parked vehicle drivers not to park outside their businesses as they are blocking them. The road belongs to everyone, not a few bar owners and thugs.

This is just one of the many problems and jai yen yen is no longer the way to look at things. We had a chance and its rapidly fading.

@ Richard- not all long term stayers are trash and we try to live around the frustrations. It's not a case of not giving a damn its a case of realisng that change is no longer inevitable despite the rose coloured glasses some may wear. In no way is this condoning the actions of thugs and the inaction of authorities and its just the way it is.

Posted by Mister Ree on December 1, 2014 09:49

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You're right, Alan, it's all about enforcement. Without which it doesn't mean much. The Military bark orders and they are followed (in the Military). However, they have been in a unique position where their orders must be followed by non-military (police, local councils etc.) and that is where it is failing. Barking orders and expecting them to be followed doesn't work in the current system. So the system needs to be changed.

Posted by Duncan on December 1, 2014 09:55

Editor Comment:

Indeed. Any occupying force knows that turning around hearts, minds and wallets takes time.

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Something is changing as the government has upgraded the status of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN)'s Maritime Enforcement Coordinating Centre (MECC) to handle security issues and protect marine resources.
The control centre will oversee six maritime state offices: the RTN, the Marine Police Division, the Customs Department, the Department of Fisheries, the Marine Department, and the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources.

Posted by Whistle-Blower on December 1, 2014 10:32

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@logic ... I think you are being a little precious. I walk through Bangla at least once a month and have not noticed anything like what you stated..... fyi, most of my friends including those with families are dissapointed the sunlounges and touts have gone... they see it all as the fun of being in Thailand.

Posted by Tys on December 1, 2014 10:38

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The state of the water at beaches like Patong is unswimmable as far as I'm concerned. The last two times I swum at Patong I got an ear infection.

Who wants to swim in water full of plastic bags and other rubbish? Who likes sea water smelling of fuel fumes?

Phuket's beaches used to have crystal clear turquoise water with snow white sand. The whole place is now a sewer due to chronic mismanagement and greed.

Anybody who thinks Phuket has improved is either insane or been there for five minutes. Who likes walking down the street constantly being hounded by touts and others just looking to rip you off?

Many of the touts and other assorted scammers are not even Thai.

Posted by Arun Muruga on December 1, 2014 12:14

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Today the police and wardens were out in force on Patong beach. Instead of managing the beach on a daily basis thing are allowed to escalate and then they swoop down like an invasion, quite unsettling if your a tourist. As soon as the police had past the plastic chair came back on the beach, knowing the police won't be back until the next time.

Posted by Dobby on December 1, 2014 12:43

Editor Comment:

''Crackdowns'' are not as effective as having a regular presence.

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@ Tys...you must be extremely light on for friends....

Posted by Chalongresident on December 1, 2014 12:59

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And the Tonight-Tonight-Trucks are back in the roads of Patong. And the Tuk-Tuks are parking all down the Beach Road. And the rental cars/motorbikes are back in the public parking areas.

Epic Fail.

Posted by BeerChang on December 1, 2014 13:00

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This place is toast. Was just north of Best Western hotel in Bang Tao... business is in full swing, loungers, drink stalls becoming more permanent by the day, swimsuit stalls, no less than 10 jetskis... and the place was foul. Filthy water, fuel stench, people swimming between longtails and speed boats... just disgusting. Kamala is back in business as well.

Posted by Lost Cause on December 1, 2014 16:02

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@Whistle-Blower

Does it mean Khun Phuripat got a new boss in a hierarchy?
I'd so, his routines may change over time..

Posted by Sue on December 1, 2014 16:10

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Today i saw something that i was not aware of. Parasailers are pretty active around xana and are landing really near the beach club where people are sitting.

Posted by Carl on December 1, 2014 17:19


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