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Army Tsunami Sweeps Beaches Clean
By Alan Morison, Chutima Sidasathian and Lana Willocks Monday, July 14, 2014
PHUKET: A visit to most of Phuket's west coast beaches quickly shows that the beauty of the island's sandy arcs has returned, thanks to the coup command clearances.
Not since the 2004 tsunami have Phuket's beaches looked this natural and appealing.
On Monday some senior officers from Bangkok will be visiting Patong, Nai Thon and other beaches, so we will check those when we get the chance, with the help of the military.
Meanwhile, here's a guide as to what visitors might find at some of the other popular spots on the Phuket sands. Sunbeds are nowhere to be seen.
Nai Harn
ALL sunbeds and umbrellas have been removed from the beach. Just back from the beach, under the casuarina trees, all restaurant tables and umbrellas are gone. The restaurant and shop structures found between the small road and the temple remain intact and are open for business. The restaurant on the rocks near the windmill viewpoint looks to be closed but still there (we didn't take a close look at it).
Ya Nui
ALL sunbeds and umbrellas are gone from the beach. The main restaurant is being dismantled - still a big mess with piles of lumber and trash. The small kayak/snorkel rental huts that used to sit on the level area just back from the beach are all gone aside from the 'Lifeguart' stand. Though the sands are clean, the approaching area between the road and sands is really messy with garbage strewn everywhere, and filthy water is pooled in the area near the culvert under the road. Rainwater runoff and god-knows-what from the bungalows on the opposite side of the road drain into this pool, which is sometimes connected to the sea at high tide (but not today). Still a lot of cleaning up to do at Ya Nui.
Laypang (northern Bang Tao)
THE Beach Club, Lotus restaurant and some other restaurants along the foreshore are still operating. A few other less substantial premises appear to have been pulled down. Further south, Babylon Beach Club is still there, but not operating. North of Banyan Tree, restaurants still protruding onto the beach. Many beach restaurants close down at this time of the year anyway. The foreshore is a jumble of operating businesses mingled with out-of-season ruins.
Bang Tao
FROM a distance, buildings of concrete and timber still seem to be largely in place.
Kamala
A BRIEF stop at the southern end of the beach left us with the impression most businesses had been demolished but readers say some businesses are still operating.
Kata
ALWAYS a delight to look out here towards Boo Island. Even on a blustery day, people appear to be swimming and playing and having a good time. Because Club Med occupies most of the foreshore, problems here have concerned people carting mobile diners onto the beach after dark. Phuket administrators appear to have knocked that on the head. Not sure whether rocks-based restaurants at the southern end are still operating. Sadly, erosion appears to be rapidly destroying the grassy area under the trees that once made Kata a near-perfect beach. No sunbeds to be seen.
Karon
WINDSWEPT and free of sunbeds on the day we dropped by. A couple about to be married braved the bad weather for their album shots. A friend who spent two hours walking the entire length of the beach and bad reported that it looked very good, with a couple of restaurants still operating at the northern headland and bad water still going seawards at the southern end.
Rawai
REPORTS of many illegal bars and restaurants coming down but Rawai has never been a swimming beach, more a watch-the-bobbing-boats in the moonlight beach. That's unlikely to change. Years ago, there were picnics on the sands at low tide. Just the kind of activity that should be encouraged.
Surin
THE seascapes at Surin are now little short of breathtaking. Visitors can find space in the carpark and it truly will remain a five-star beach, if the nerve of the authorities is maintained. However, the large beach club at the northern end was still complete last time we looked, even though parts of the club are obviously in the illegal zone. People visiting Surin have taken to laying on picnic mats and pillows under the trees. When crowded at high season, finding spots in the shade may become more competitive.
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Comments
Comments have been disabled for this article.
I will miss the lounges to some extent but when you look at those pictures of Surin as it is now it is hard to argue. Just sensational.
Posted by
Davemc60
on
July 14, 2014 07:46
What bad taste in using the words "tsunami sweeps beaches" considering the dozens of people who died in Phuket in the Boxing Day Tsunami. You should be ashamed of yourself.
Posted by
Tsunami Survivor
on
July 14, 2014 08:52
Editor Comment:
Sorry, I'm not. It's used appropriately because the beaches are now as clean as they were after the tsunami. Unfortunately, some Phuket officials agree with you that the tsunami should not be mentioned, which handicaps preparation for another possible disaster. As someone who worked with the TTVI and among the unidentified bodies, I want the victims to be remembered, not forgotten.
Nai Harn Beach is a mess - there is trash everywhere, and leftover lumber and bits from the restaurants that were torn down. The restaurant on the rocks is being dismantled, albeit slowly. Some local Thais & expats in the community are planning a beach clean up in the next days.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
July 14, 2014 08:58
Excellent beach review, but you missed one, important beach:
Nai Yang beach:
Up to 100 businesses continue to occupy this beach, including bars, restaurants, massage and souvenir shops.
Many buildings have been constructed of reinforced concrete.
Several illegal guesthouses have constructed their substantial buildings almost to the high water mark.
3 new concrete buildings (guesthouses) are currently under construction, with building work continuing every day.
No sign of any police or park rangers whatsoever - in 12 years, I have only seen the local police on NY beach on a single occasion, and that was when they were having a party.
So..... the very beach which should have been afforded more attention than other beaches, (because it is in the National Park), continues to disappear under illegal businesses and new construction.
I really hope someone in authority has the b*lls to actually implement their promises about NY beach.
Posted by
Simon Luttrell
on
July 14, 2014 09:21
Editor Comment:
As we've reported, we believe the difficulty is a historical but legally binding MoU between the national park director and the local council/restaurants.
the restaurant at the south end of nai harn is closed but they poured so much concrete it will take a wrecking crew to level it and hopefully all the debris will be trucked out instead of leaving a pile of rubble or worse yet leave the structure intact.it's an eyesore now.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
July 14, 2014 09:28
Great news and great article
I am off to the beach today for sure :-)
Posted by
Amazing Thailand
on
July 14, 2014 09:30
Surin Beach is a disaster. The retaining wall all along the South end to the car park has collapsed bringing down numerous trees and exposing septic tanks. At the far South the pathway itself is now being washed away with a 2m drop.
Posted by
todd
on
July 14, 2014 09:44
Editor Comment:
Monsoon storm damage? Unconnected with the clearances. The lifeguard tower is fatally wounded, too. It happens every year, growing worse each year.
Of Surin Beach you say:
When crowded at high season, finding spots in the shade may become more competitive.
May? This is a sure bet and it will be very disagreeable there. And at all the other beaches that some trees.
Posted by
Ken Freed
on
July 14, 2014 10:29
I like so much to read very good news in the morning.
I remember when I came here for the first time in 1995, I remember how I liked this island, I remember how the beaches were beautiful, I remember ... .
Today, I am so happy, so happy !
L... l... the army !
Posted by
Richard
on
July 14, 2014 10:45
When the Thai Army/Navy will do something about Racha Yai Island? Phuketwan knows something coming about cleaning Racha Yai Island about all illegal structures, buildings, resorts and so on..?? Thanks to provide an answer.
Posted by
Whistle-Blower
on
July 14, 2014 10:49
@simon - time to give it up - you have heard why that area wont be touched. Time to move on.
Posted by
Ciaran
on
July 14, 2014 10:59
Surin beach has been destroyed , they have smashed the sea wall, and everything going into the sea! Yes the beaches look great, just a shame you can't sit on a lounger with a Parasol , beer in hand and enjoy!
Posted by
Anonymous
on
July 14, 2014 12:06
Editor Comment:
Anonymous comments aren't worth a cracker, anonymous.
Ed - Surin Beach. This does not happen every year. 100 year old trees that have lived through the tsunami's are collapsing into the sea now.
Posted by
todd
on
July 14, 2014 12:25
Editor Comment:
The sea never retreats, todd, what the sea takes, it usually gives elsewhere. Nothing unusual in natural erosion. But as we've reported previously, local councils need to learn how to build walls that keep the monsoons at bay, yet don't destroy the natural attributes. It's subtle, nothing to do with your uncle owning a concrete business.
@todd @Ed
There are various alternative ways how to avoid erosion , like planting proper plants, e.g.various kinds of lianas etc and keeping balance between erosion-prone "white-sands" and "grass".
This normally should be part of beach management system, that is professionally and in competent way customized for a particular beach
Posted by
Sue
on
July 14, 2014 13:19
This gives a totally new meaning to 'AMAZING THAILAND'. Just when we thought we had seen everything & had given Phuket up for lost, it is rising from the ashes like the proverbial phoenix. Very very well done the military.
I'm off to book my next holiday.
Posted by
Logic
on
July 14, 2014 13:48
I also did a tour. I have a few comments:
The piles of rubbish at Nai Harn spoil the look of the place, in particular the discarded planks of wood with "Tuk Tuk" painted on them.
Kata and Karon beaches - so many people in the water ignoring the red flags, but the beaches are superb, just like January 2005.
At Nai Thon beach there is an enormous amount of rubbish from destroyed shacks between the road and the beach. I wonder what the few tourist there think of the place.
Surin Beach - in over a decade I have never seen so many empty car park spaces. Wonderful.
Posted by
Smithy
on
July 14, 2014 15:57
@Smithy
I think that is in part because integrate Beach Management Systme is not installed, lke "Blu eF;ag", that is in my opinion is the best one, and covers all aspects from cleaning of beaches, safety, enviromental issues and development:
http://goo.gl/8n0Puo
Authorities should urgently design Beach Management System, and, yes, to allocate some budget for it still in this financial year.
Posted by
Sue
on
July 14, 2014 16:26
For everyone who claims, that (ultra) rich tourist will needs umbrellas and sunbeds on the beach, they are talking about things they do not understands:
let me illustrate it with picture from last year New year holdays of Russian oligarch Abramovich and his friends from St Bart in Carribean:
as one may guess, these people can order anything what they want - incl. any number of servant who can bring any number of sunbeds and umberellas to any beach in thos worlds, with tassels to remove few pieces of sand from precious feet of guets.
BUT nothing of this takes a place:
first, virtually nobody use sunbeds - everyone brought HIS OWN beach towel - yes, his own - as all guests have differrent ones, thus not brought by servants:
http://goo.gl/i8RMh6
http://goo.gl/Z2V7RX
http://goo.gl/HNQxpy
http://goo.gl/8Jxg0U
It can be seen, that there is an only foldable mobile chair, and I guess, they brought it even without using servants as porters -as they, both men and women, enough fit. and in general do not enjoy luxuries in feudal style.
Even more, it can be seen, they brought - obviously each of them, their drinks and snacks - not build F&D station on the beach to serve most precious guests.
They clearly enjoy the beach in the way they do.
Posted by
Sue
on
July 14, 2014 17:58
is this really a positive step for the local people?.....surely it is going to have an impact on tourism?.....would there not be another way to handle this eg registering all sites and having a fee payable maybe?
Posted by
Anonymous
on
July 14, 2014 18:11
Editor Comment:
Anonymous comments are not really worth a lot. And no, compromises don't work on Phuket.
@Manowar
What are "blue flags" on a beach I do not know.
However I know what is an integrate beach managements system "Blue Flag" - you can read details by following a link posted above.
Posted by
Sue
on
July 14, 2014 19:32
well i was at the beach yesterday in patong. wow nice to see it clear but the trash in the water and floating in it was very very bad broken glass and bottles. and caps in the sand . was in water and every wave that hit my fet i could feel all the bits of trash hit my legs. very bad. i have been too many beaches in the world . i was here last year and the beach was clean water clean . what happened patong?????its so dirty thAT I DONT WANT TO GO NEAR THE BEACH . thats sad. patong should look at how some of the blue flag beachs look. lke in cyprus. the water and the beach are clean, i hope you fix the water and stop all the trash dumping in it . more trash cans along the beach \signs that pack trash out ect hire teams to clean the beaches. rake ect your beachs could be beautiful if everyone to care of them
Posted by
gary
on
July 14, 2014 20:55
@Manowar
===
gary
patong should look at how some of the blue flag beachs look. . lke in cyprus. the water and the beach are clean,
===
You hear Manowar, your standard of cleanliness of beaches is not upheld. We don't like it.
We like "Blue Flag" adopted 33 criteria. Like on Cyprus.
Posted by
Sue
on
July 14, 2014 21:14
Words for the Editor,
As bad as it may sound using "Tsunami" as a way to get across your point, i think you described it perfectly! A tsunami destroys all at once where the everyday destruction of a all those beautiful beaches is far worse. Being married to a Thai lady and traveling that whole country i know this is something that has been needed for a long time. Hope Pattaya and Kho Lan is next!
Posted by
Jerome
on
July 14, 2014 23:03
If retaining walls collapse by strong waves. There is a reason. They should not have been built in the first place. A beach can only exist if the water can slowly and gradually slow down over the land.
Go visit Cancun/Mexico. In the north they built walls and hotels close/into the sand. Strong waves clash to the walls and washed away the sand.
Stay far away from the sand don't build any walls and the sand will stay / come back. It's a no brainer. Beaches have existed for hundreds of years but disappeared within just a few years after mankind built walls.
Posted by
James
on
July 15, 2014 16:42
Sue, I am sure my standard of what is acceptable is far superior to that provided by some bureaucratic check list prepared by someone trying to justify their existence. Worse still are those that believe this crap and promote it as some end all, be all gospel to achieve a result. I swim and use many beaches, none have blue flags and none ever will. All have facilities are clean and the country I come from has had one drowning on a life saver protected beach in 70 years. Even that one may be from an external factor. Forget the crap, if that is possible, pull your head in, stick to the subject, keep it in context and for all our sake make it short and to the point. Much shorter.
Your blue flag propaganda is crap and so is your promotion of it.
Posted by
Manowar
on
July 15, 2014 18:07
James, sea walls require correct design not only to retain sands but to adequately dissipate energy while trying to maintain natural flow patterns. Vertical inclination and anticipate flow approach angles must be correct to minimise wash away.
Sand build up and loss will always occur whether natural or retained and will generally have a greater effect on unsupported sections of the same beach as most walls are incorrectly designed and transfer energy to these unprotected areas.
Proper modelling can usually achieve a good result if the beach is considered entirely rather than considered in sections.
Posted by
Manowar
on
July 15, 2014 18:22
I inspected Surin myself on Monday morning 14th July. Although I believe the end goal of a clear beach is great, the job is far from complete and at present it remains a very dangerous place to swim, and i am not referring to the surf conditions. There are many sharp wooden pylons half submerged in the sand along most of the beach that would cause severe injuries to anyone who fell, stood or is washed up against one. I spend about 20 minutes digging one of these out of the sand and found it was wedged into sandbags 2 feet down. I also removed numerous broken bottles that were waiting patiently to ruin someones holiday. My conclusion: much better than the Surin of 2013, but way too soon to call it natural and beautiful.
I also inspected Layan beach the following day Tuesday 15th July, a horrible mess of rubbish stretching for miles (Thai wrapping labels on much of it). I understand this is storm season and it gets washed up, but somewhere in the weeks/months prior, someone somewhere in Thailand threw the empty can of coke or old shopping bag into the sea and walked away to get on with their day. Just so sad.
Posted by
Chris
on
July 16, 2014 08:51
what about all the massage beds on the beach my friend works on one at karon beach
Posted by
linda
on
July 23, 2014 18:09
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I will miss the lounges to some extent but when you look at those pictures of Surin as it is now it is hard to argue. Just sensational.
Posted by Davemc60 on July 14, 2014 07:46