PHUKET: A backhoe supervised by Royal Thai Navy sailors and local authorities demolished the well-known Octopus restaurant and other premises on the foreshore at Phuket's Nai Yang beach today.
According to Sarkoo district chief Sumeth Suwannarat, the wrecking had the approval of the National Council for Peace and Order even though an appeal had been lodged with the Administrative Court.
''We asked the NCPO and the decision was that there were clearly no real property titles for the businesses, so we were able to carry out the demolition.
''Two more premises nearby will be demolished tomorrow.''
The Octopus restaurant, the No. 4 Seafood Restaurant and a massage parlor came down today.
All the businesses are on the landward side of a narrow roadway that runs along the beachfront at Nai Yang, the beach closest to Phuket International Airport.
Authorities say court action is continuing that will decide the legitimacy of a group of buildings on the seaward side of the road, closer to Sirinath National Park and the airport.
Authorities believe all buildings on the seafront at Nai Yang near the park are illegal.
Most of the restaurants once frequented by tourists along the Nai Yang shorefront have been demolished.
It's not yet clear whether the precipitous action that spurred the demolitions at the behest of the Sarkoo municipality - but with NCPO approval - will become a role model for the Cherng Talay municipality, which oversees Surin beach, south of Nai Yang.
Although all restaurants and beach clubs on the seaward side of a path that runs the length of Surin beach have been flattened, several popular beach clubs and restaurants on the landward side survive.
One large new beach club has even been constructed ready for high season 2015-16.
According to Sarkoo district chief Sumeth Suwannarat, the wrecking had the approval of the National Council for Peace and Order even though an appeal had been lodged with the Administrative Court.
''We asked the NCPO and the decision was that there were clearly no real property titles for the businesses, so we were able to carry out the demolition.
''Two more premises nearby will be demolished tomorrow.''
The Octopus restaurant, the No. 4 Seafood Restaurant and a massage parlor came down today.
All the businesses are on the landward side of a narrow roadway that runs along the beachfront at Nai Yang, the beach closest to Phuket International Airport.
Authorities say court action is continuing that will decide the legitimacy of a group of buildings on the seaward side of the road, closer to Sirinath National Park and the airport.
Authorities believe all buildings on the seafront at Nai Yang near the park are illegal.
Most of the restaurants once frequented by tourists along the Nai Yang shorefront have been demolished.
It's not yet clear whether the precipitous action that spurred the demolitions at the behest of the Sarkoo municipality - but with NCPO approval - will become a role model for the Cherng Talay municipality, which oversees Surin beach, south of Nai Yang.
Although all restaurants and beach clubs on the seaward side of a path that runs the length of Surin beach have been flattened, several popular beach clubs and restaurants on the landward side survive.
One large new beach club has even been constructed ready for high season 2015-16.
Bad luck for the owners and for sure some tourists, good for the recovery of Phukets beaches.
Posted by Anonymous on August 5, 2015 17:34