So sad but true - there are even some small beaches next to the controlled ones, that are filled with broken glass bottles, to prevent people from staying there.
How can this madness be stopped?
Some responsible grown-ups should take care before the whole society of Phukets west coast is ruined, but who?

Posted by Hotel owner in Patong on January 16, 2011 14:23

''The real problem for the future of tourism is not the strength of the Thai baht or the tsunami rumors,'' Khun Tunyaratt says. ''It's the greed of the local people.

at least their is one thai besides the foreigners that have been saying this for quite sometime.

Posted by john s on January 16, 2011 14:27

Khun Tunyaratt just about says it all, although I disagree that the strong Baht has nothing to do with the decline in European and US tourist. Also to say that Phuket doesn't benefit financially from certain tourist groups is also a little short sighted.

The fact remains that the rest of her comments are completely true. How many Thai Authority figures read Phukewan and the comments made. If they do they must be pretty thick skinned or simply don't care enough to do anything about it... and why would they if their pockets are being lined.

Khun Tunyaratt is right, Phuket is on the brink of self destruction, but certain Thais and Foreigners fail to act or indeed care.

RIP Phuket - It'll be a slow and painful death, but who cares?

Posted by Graham on January 16, 2011 14:58

The Swedes and Germans have gone, yes and other Europeans and Australians will follow, because I witnessed first hand an Aussie couple fall victim to a jet ski scam on Patong Beach.

This happens every day, to unsuspecting tourists, just trying to enjoy their holiday.

Soon it will only be the 'Zero Baht' Russian M**** and the Thai M****, with a sprinkling of the French Algerian criminal element. Phuket RIP.

Posted by Phuket Kop on January 16, 2011 15:01

"The real problem for the future of tourism is not the strength of the Thai baht or the tsunami rumors,'' Khun Tunyaratt says. ''It's the greed of the local people."

Amazing.. Finally a Thai person with some authority who will voice what so many already know..

Even tho what she may say is bad news, its the very fact that her and people like her might say it, that gives me faint hope.

Well done to khun Tunyaratt for having some bravery and honestly to voice the unmentionable. Not all of the problems fall on Thai doors, tourists bring problems with their currency for sure, but they have long shouldered the blame too.

Lets not be too cynical to hope that some within Thai society can force the changes to the corruption that allows this greed and land / power grab to happen.

Posted by LivinLOS on January 16, 2011 16:05

Nice to see some light shed on this issue...unfortunately it appears that those who have the power to do something about this, simply won't...Amazing how greed overshadows everything...

Posted by sky on January 16, 2011 17:52

last year I stayed 4 month in Khaolak and Krabi. So much better, but also endangered. "White Sand Beach" with beach chairs. It starts everywhere.

Posted by Lena on January 16, 2011 20:18

"Soon it will only be the 'Zero Baht' Russian M**** and the Thai M****, with a sprinkling of the French Algerian criminal element. Phuket RIP."

If someone not believe this word, go to get a look to Patong night life. And these are the people that in afternoon goes to the beaches. Compared to four years ago , now Patong has gone downhill.

Posted by rich on January 17, 2011 09:32

'Local people are taking what they can. Who do we complain to? The police? The local authorities? The tourist police?''

Not only local people: also I don't know where I can write, anonymous as many people suggested to me, to complain about illegal costructions, pollution, etc. All the email address can find DON'T work, and please can someone write the correct addresses to send a letter??

Posted by Dave on January 17, 2011 09:38

My advice:

"Bring dynamite and a crane,
Blow it up, start all over again.
Build a town, be proud to show.
Give the name Tobacco Road"

Nashville Teens, 1964.

Posted by Mike Boyd on January 18, 2011 10:58

Dear Editor,
Maybe as you know, some farang want to import racism and xenophobia from Europe to Thailand. Phuket Kop write: "Soon it will only be the 'Zero Baht' Russian M**** and the Thai M****, with a sprinkling of the French Algerian criminal element. Phuket RIP."
You live in Phuket. You can tell me how many "French Algerian" was condemned by Phuket court, please?
Many sons of French murderers during Algeria War write only wrong thing about us on Thai news websites. When the criminal is a pedophile named michel or jean, it's ok for them but when he is French with maghrebian roots, it's inadmissible. "2 poids 2 mesures". Please, don't permit them to insulting us on Phuket Wan.
Merci ; )

Posted by Zidane Benzema Nasri on March 3, 2012 07:03