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Poor Phuket Beach Vendors Not So Poor After All, Especially at Patong
By Prasit Tarnsirisin Tuesday, November 17, 2015
PHUKET: An official strolled along Patong beach today and counted 600 umbrellas. Six hundred umbrellas, hired at 200 baht each, works out at 120,000 baht total - and a daily income of 2000 baht for each of the 60 authorised beach workers.
The so-called ''poor'' beach workers may not be so poor compared to someone on the minimum wage of 300 baht a day.
Phuket's special ''10 percent zone'' compromise is, remember, meant to encourage a regular income for the truly poor. As Patong's Mayor, Chalermlak Kebsub, has previously said, there is no such thing as a poor Patong beach worker.
Vice Governor Chokdee Amornwat visited Kamala beach today to assess the needs there after previous visits to Patong, Kata-Karon and Surin. Here are new things we learned today about Phuket's unique beach plan.
INSTEAD of the five spots each of 40 metres allocated to the ''10 percent zone'' umbrellas hire and service areas by former Governor Nisit Jansomwong, Kamala will have three spots of 50 metres and a fourth of 70 metres, to allow for a canal that sometimes flows through the area.
VICE Governor Chokdee has declared Laem Sing beach, between Kamala and Surin, to be a ''virgin'' beach like previous nominated virgins, Nui beach, Freedom beach and Laypang beach. This means there will be no ''10 percent zones.'' However, on a visit to Laypang beach today, another Phuketwan reporter found beach loungers and umbrellas, several beachfront restaurants and even a jet-ski for hire. The word ''virgin'' may be, like the word ''pristine,'' subject to deception and misuse.
UNDER the plan, a beach worker will be able to work as an umbrella hirer or a food and drink services provider, but not both. Traditionally, umbrella and lounger providers would also scurry off to fetch food and drink as required. One job, one person, the vice governor told vendors today.
THE Starfish that will define the four corners of each beach ''10 percent zone'' are on the way and should be evident at all beaches soon, officials have been told.
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Comments
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200 baht to hire an umbrella? Really?
Posted by
jimbo34
on
November 17, 2015 16:19
Editor Comment:
You get a mat, too.
Captain Doomsayer checking in here... but these beach vendors appear to be incorrigible, and the officials in charge are scared to take a stance. I had my beautiful peaceful Sunday at Kamala ruined, when all of the sudden, 9 obnoxious jetskis came buzzing around the point from Laem Sing and descended onto the shoreline with their whining noise, foul pollution, and surly punks cruising badgering tourists for business. My family and I left. And yes...the umbrellas are up en masse, with the same thugs running the same game...same same, but different, for sure.
Posted by
Richard Vickers
on
November 17, 2015 17:06
Editor Comment:
Surely there couldn't be jet-skis spreading out to the ''virgin'' beaches? How could that possibly be allowed, Madonna?
If only we could turn the clock back 20, 15 or 10 years - where did it all go wrong after that?
I have such fond memories of 'old' Phuket & am much saddened by the mess it is in now. Glad I am no longer there but wish I could find a glimmer of what was when I visit to dive.
Posted by
Logic
on
November 17, 2015 18:21
[quote]
THE Starfish that will define the four corners of each beach ''10 percent zone'' are on the way
[/quote]
Starfish has another, popular meaning in Thailand, (as you maybe are aware).
In that context it typically means 'failed to deliver or perform as promised'.
Posted by
Simon Luttrell
on
November 17, 2015 18:21
Editor Comment:
Your sexual history is probably not especially relevant, Simon.
Thank you for reporting this.
Finally perhaps some of those naive visitors may understand they are not contributing to poor people where they are throwing their money.
Posted by
Sam
on
November 17, 2015 18:31
at nai harn the owners of the 12 umbrella concessions are wealthy by any standards.they employ others to operate their concession and they are usually from other provences than phuket.i wish the issue of the film museum received the same amount of attention from the local government authorities.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
November 17, 2015 18:56
Hopefully the vice governor can come to Nai Harn to observe the whole beach being taken up by umbrellas. BTW, the vendors there haven't heard that they can't rent out umbrellas and sell drinks at the same time. The Vice Governor might also want to have a word with K Aron if he dares show his face in public about the monstrosity that is supposed to be the movie museum. It seems Nai Harn like Patong is a world unto itself not governed by "rules" however ridiculous that might be.
Posted by
Not at Nai Harn
on
November 17, 2015 19:14
I left this year and in my time in Phuket about 85% of the non Thai friends also left. There are far better places.
Posted by
Gone
on
November 17, 2015 19:26
17 years ago I found myself in a jet in a seat beside a captain of a big ship that been around the world. I was a pure fresh farang and I was so lucky to meet him. He put me in a guesthouse above the football field and told me to get some sleep. At about 2 he knocked at my door and tock me down to the beach where the yellow umbrellas stood. Man, I was in heaven. Then he told me to not pick the first girl I met in the evening. I broke the role. After 5 min in thailand I clicked with a wonderful and careful lady and we stayed togheter for 7 month. She always came down to the yellow umbrellas at about 5 and gave me some fresh fruit from the few vendors. I just wanted to share good times. By the way, the owner of the yellow umbrellas are NOT poor today.
Posted by
A Joe
on
November 17, 2015 20:55
I wonder how much the persons actually doing the work walk away with at the end of the day ?
Posted by
mike murphy
on
November 17, 2015 22:34
Editor Comment:
The authorities' plan is well-intentioned and it should create tax-paying associations of workers, if it can be enforced.
Before 'beach clearing' last year, you paid 100 thb for a umbrella, chair + mat. ( at kamala beach was that 75 thb , and got some free fruit as well there.)
Now you pay 200 thb, for just a umbrella+ a mat.
Good deal for the vendors, less investment ( no chairs), and doubled their prices.
By the way, what is the difference at a beach, just a umbrella + mat only on the hot sand, or a umbrella + chair + mat?
And true, as NaiHarn beach is in hands of 'concession holders', who pay for their concession at Rawai city hall, authorities stay away from Naiharn beach.
Just now with this film museum thing the Rawai authorities sudden show a lot of , partly hidden, energy.
I heard that on Friday, 20 Nov, there will be a public hearing in Rawai City hall, but they forgot to mention the time of the hearing.
The building and construction company of the film museum, and director of Tourism & Sports (on Phuket) are already invited.
Posted by
Kurt
on
November 18, 2015 09:37
You may have underestimated the income Ed because frequently the person who has rented umbrellas and mats stays for a few hours and leaves, leaving them available for rent again With 600 umbrellas hired on the beach, the rent received could be as much as one million baht a week and remember there will be many more tourists during December,January and February which will push this figure up
The Thai officials will never give up this huge cash cow without a fight.
They talk about it in low season when it does not affect their pockets but when it really counts they play this game of talk but no action which will protect the cash flow. We have seen this cycle for many years
Posted by
Paul
on
November 18, 2015 10:04
Editor Comment:
The article quotes a Phuket official and the official's calculation, Paul. It does not contain any guesswork. We have no idea which ''Thai officials'' you are talking about. It's plain that without the umbrellas and sunloungers, the amount of money being collected on Phuket's beaches is vastly reduced. Are you not aware of this? The only businesses flourishing on the beaches at present are the jet-ski and parasailing businesses. There is no ''huge cash cow.''
I hope no tourist coming, if they coming to Phuket so by every thing in 7/11 and Familimart and Superchip, so put some stock in this shop this going up.
Posted by
Bjorn Ronningen
on
November 18, 2015 13:23
Sorry Ed, I missed the point altogether
Posted by
Paul
on
November 18, 2015 20:45
Editor Comment:
Your comment treats the beach situation as though nothing has changed. Plainly, you missed the beach clearances last year and the changes that followed.
Dear Ed, I read Simon Luttrell's comment and your reply and have to admit that I did not fully understand the innuendo in what Simon had said. However your reply made it clear what a "starfish" referred to. I initially thought you were pointedly personal in your reply but then it occurred to me that you were just being satirical, just having a good laugh at Simon's expense. So I join in the laughter knowing full well that after Simon's many constructive and supportive comments on PW he will be just as amused as I to appreciate your sense of humour.
Still chuckling...chill
Posted by
chill
on
November 19, 2015 06:20
Editor Comment:
How broad-minded of you. I wasn't having a laugh at Simon's expense. We were laughing together.
It's almost as though you're a grown-up, chill. A day to remember.
Does anyone know how the money derived from renting umbrellas and mats on Patong beach is divided amongst the 60 authorised beach workers
Do the beach workers pay a rent for their patch ? and if they do to whom
Are there any middle men taking a cut of the cash receipts ?
Is Thai taxation payable ?
I write because the new scheme is for the benefit of the very poor people and it is clear that after a while these people will no longer be very poor and will there be a rotation of people allowing very poor people to take the place of people who are now not so poor
As you can see, I am a sceptic and I find it difficult to believe that after so many years of profiteering by
others that this new scheme is entirely as it seems and yes the jet ski and parasailor operators should be thrown off the beach on safety and noise pollution grounds if nothing else
Posted by
Paul
on
November 20, 2015 08:03
Editor Comment:
The plan is for vendors to register as members of a tax-paying association. There is no suggestion as yet that one could be entitled the Guilt by Association.
No school in Switzerland for children this year for this poor Phuket Beach Vendors.
Posted by
Bjorn Ronningen
on
November 24, 2015 09:52
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I don't know whether to laugh or cry. Perhaps both.
Posted by ellie gerald on November 17, 2015 16:10