PHUKET: Action to save Phuket's beaches all over again is expected as soon as new governor Jamleran Tipayapongtada takes charge later this week.
Phuketwan has learned that a strong lobby group is keen to see a strategy implemented quickly - and that strategy is likely to remove municipal councils from all say in control of the beaches.
The move will probably also end the ''10 percent solution'' proposed by departing governor Nisit Jansomwong.
He gave the island a possible solution to its high-fares taxi monopoly with GrabTaxi but compromised on the clearance of commerce from the beaches.
Unless commerce is completely removed, the ''entitlement'' of local businesses that abused public ownership for decades will never cease.
Interestingly, the governor gave each of his three vice governors a role in overseeing a district to fix the beaches problem.
The three vice governors are departing with Governor Nisit. It could, of course, just be a coincidence.
Incoming Governor Jamleran was known for taking a firm stand on beach businesses as a vice governor before he left Phuket a year ago.
He's the man who coined Phuketwan's motto, ''Brave Enough to Change.''
His well-known attitude is likely to reinforce the findings of researchers from Phuket's Prince of Songkhla University, who suggested replacing councils with an independent committee of stakeholders, including the Royal Thai Navy and police.
Phuketwan has long proposed an independent Phuket Beach Authority. The committee idea from the university researchers draws the same conclusion.
Removing the councils from the equation is essential because they have always been influenced by voters and local business.
It is the voters (ie local businesses) who for decades have driven the illegal use of the holiday island's beaches and shorefronts for private profit.
The ''10 percent'' rule, which allows umbrellas and mats to be hired in only one tenth of the area of each beach, could work at some beaches some of the time.
But it's a recipe for disaster during high season at Patong and other popular beaches.
As experience has shown, one row of umbrellas leads to two, two lead to three . . . and eventually, once a Phuket beach is covered in umbrellas, greedy entrepreneurs start shifting their restaurants and beach clubs onto the foreshores and the sands.
What Governor Jamleran probably already realises is that Phuket is not a province where compromises work. Compromises on Phuket lead directly to corruption.
The time has come to take a firm stand on the beaches by continuing the military's good work in clearing commerce from public spaces.
It may take a few years to undo the false assumption of the past few decades that public spaces can be used for private profit.
But the local residents do not ''own'' Phuket's beaches. They belong to all of Thailand, they're a national natural asset, and they must be protected and maintained for the enjoyment of future generations of Thais and tourists.
Allowing tourists to bring their own beach chairs and umbrellas works at most good beaches around the world and would also work on Phuket.
We know that Governor Jamleran also understands that most Phuket residents and at least three in every four tourists do not think having jet-skis take over Patong and other beaches is a good idea.
Like the neighboring provinces of Phang Nga and Krabi, Phuket should ban them as soon as possible.
The seven-year phase-out proposed in 2002 failed because governors failed to keep the promises of their predecessors.
Governor Jamleran should aim to get rid of them within three years.
One of the governor's new vice governors, Prajiad Aksornthammakul, 59, has previous Phuket experience in his current role, as senior Phuket administrative officer.
Chokdee Amornwat comes from Bangkok and Kajornkiat Rakpanitmanee, 50, is chief officer in Supanburi province.
Phuketwan has learned that a strong lobby group is keen to see a strategy implemented quickly - and that strategy is likely to remove municipal councils from all say in control of the beaches.
The move will probably also end the ''10 percent solution'' proposed by departing governor Nisit Jansomwong.
He gave the island a possible solution to its high-fares taxi monopoly with GrabTaxi but compromised on the clearance of commerce from the beaches.
Unless commerce is completely removed, the ''entitlement'' of local businesses that abused public ownership for decades will never cease.
Interestingly, the governor gave each of his three vice governors a role in overseeing a district to fix the beaches problem.
The three vice governors are departing with Governor Nisit. It could, of course, just be a coincidence.
Incoming Governor Jamleran was known for taking a firm stand on beach businesses as a vice governor before he left Phuket a year ago.
He's the man who coined Phuketwan's motto, ''Brave Enough to Change.''
His well-known attitude is likely to reinforce the findings of researchers from Phuket's Prince of Songkhla University, who suggested replacing councils with an independent committee of stakeholders, including the Royal Thai Navy and police.
Phuketwan has long proposed an independent Phuket Beach Authority. The committee idea from the university researchers draws the same conclusion.
Removing the councils from the equation is essential because they have always been influenced by voters and local business.
It is the voters (ie local businesses) who for decades have driven the illegal use of the holiday island's beaches and shorefronts for private profit.
The ''10 percent'' rule, which allows umbrellas and mats to be hired in only one tenth of the area of each beach, could work at some beaches some of the time.
But it's a recipe for disaster during high season at Patong and other popular beaches.
As experience has shown, one row of umbrellas leads to two, two lead to three . . . and eventually, once a Phuket beach is covered in umbrellas, greedy entrepreneurs start shifting their restaurants and beach clubs onto the foreshores and the sands.
What Governor Jamleran probably already realises is that Phuket is not a province where compromises work. Compromises on Phuket lead directly to corruption.
The time has come to take a firm stand on the beaches by continuing the military's good work in clearing commerce from public spaces.
It may take a few years to undo the false assumption of the past few decades that public spaces can be used for private profit.
But the local residents do not ''own'' Phuket's beaches. They belong to all of Thailand, they're a national natural asset, and they must be protected and maintained for the enjoyment of future generations of Thais and tourists.
Allowing tourists to bring their own beach chairs and umbrellas works at most good beaches around the world and would also work on Phuket.
We know that Governor Jamleran also understands that most Phuket residents and at least three in every four tourists do not think having jet-skis take over Patong and other beaches is a good idea.
Like the neighboring provinces of Phang Nga and Krabi, Phuket should ban them as soon as possible.
The seven-year phase-out proposed in 2002 failed because governors failed to keep the promises of their predecessors.
Governor Jamleran should aim to get rid of them within three years.
One of the governor's new vice governors, Prajiad Aksornthammakul, 59, has previous Phuket experience in his current role, as senior Phuket administrative officer.
Chokdee Amornwat comes from Bangkok and Kajornkiat Rakpanitmanee, 50, is chief officer in Supanburi province.
if the 7 year phase out of jet skiis didn't work why would the 3 year phase out program work?
Posted by Anonymous on September 30, 2015 11:39
Editor Comment:
Because it could be carried out under one or two governors, not four or five.