High Season High Noon Draws Closer But Phuket Officials Dither Over Beach Decisions
By Prasit Tarnsirisin and Alan Morison Friday, August 21, 2015
PHUKET: No beach chairs will be allowed on Phuket's beaches this high season, a vice governor just back from Australia's Bondi beach told a meeting today.
About 30 officials were told at Kathu district office by Vice Governor Suthee Tongyam that he found Bondi beach ''very clean'' on a recent trip (people in Australia mostly bring their own chairs and umbrellas to beaches.)
He questioned why Patong and Kamala beaches had failed to make significant progress on Governor Nisit Jansomwong's ideal of using just 10 percent of each beach for commerce and for rented umbrellas and mats (tourists are forbidden on Phuket from bringing their own equipment.)
The results of the six-month survey by Phuket's Prince of Songkhla University are to be made public at a meeting on August 27, the vice governor said - but that did not mean the suggestions in the report would be adopted.
''A committee will look at the results of the survey and a decision on what should happen will come before the high season,'' Vice Governor Suthee said.
Regular veteran European visitors who have spent their holidays in the past on sunbeds at Patong and other beaches are growing increasingly anxious for a decision that they hope will restore the old ways.
However, since the military cleared commerce from all of Phuket's beaches soon after taking control in Thailand in May last year, it has become evident that a return of the sunbeds is unlikely.
''The high season is coming,'' the vice governor told today's gathering. ''We want everything to be by the rules.''
He was stinging in rebuking Patong and Kamala for failing to be able to enforce the 10 percent zoning. However, the mayor of Patong has said in the past that the council could not enforce the regulations.
Phuket's police have also said that officers are reluctant to arrest veteran tourists who bring their own chairs to the beaches - because they are unable to get up from beach mats, which are the only permissible piece of equipment to go under umbrellas.
According to the vice governor today, every beach will have 10 percent zones and the people who work as staff in those zones will be registered.
''At present, nobody on the beaches will be able to use beach chairs or sunbeds,'' the vice governor said.
WITH TIME running out for high season bookings, the situation on Phuket's beaches becomes more farcical each day.
Patong is a basket case. There is no sign of anyone obeying the rules - least of all the jet-ski operators, who have been granted vast sections of the seafront that was once one of Phuket's finest swimming beaches.
Phuket's other beaches are also going to bust the 10 percent rule wide open when the high season crowds arrive - although some pessimists believe the crowds will stop coming this year.
The most popular beaches were all covered in sunbeds and umbrellas in the high season of 2013-14. Do the authorities expect those thousands of people to squabble over the rented umbrellas and mats in the 10 percent zones, and for nine out of 10 people to be content when they miss out?
If the Phuket authorities pursue this wrong-headed course of action - drawn up by people who have no idea about managing a beach - they will only have themselves to blame for being made to look extremely foolish.
Phuketwan's suggestion is to stick within Thailand's laws and keep commerce off the beaches, but allow the sunlovers to bring their own beach chairs and umbrellas. That's what they do at Bondi, vice governor.
As for the jet-skis . . . ban the lot. Any official who believes that the majority of tourists want jet-skis is being fed false information by people who stand to benefit. Don't be fooled.
Spend a day at Patong beach, then go visit Krabi and Phang Nga where jet-skis are banned, and decide for yourselves which beaches offer the more enjoyable holiday experience.
|
Comments
Comments have been disabled for this article.
I think the demographic of the people who use Bondi Beach is much different from those who use Patong beach. It's not useful to compare those particular beaches. I think it would be a Big mistake if beach chairs and umbrellas are not provided along entire beach at Patong.
Posted by
Itsamystery
on
August 22, 2015 05:40
Editor Comment:
The only mistake was in allowing sunbeds to operate illegally in the first place. Once officials have corrected 20 years of law-breaking, Patong should be much more like Bondi - and safe for future generations of Thais to enjoy. The tourists can take it or leave it.
Patong beach is so very dirty, trash every ware, why go to Australia to see a clean beach?
Posted by
Dobby
on
August 22, 2015 07:08
Once again, Phuket Wan has the right answer and everyone should stand behind them to help solve these problems before high season and forever.
Stick within Thailand's laws and keep commerce off the beaches and at the same time should ban ALL jet-skis on ALL beaches, including islands like koh Kai Nui, Kai Noi and Naka island but also ban the use of jet-skis of Super yachts to come. Spoke to a Marine official a couple of days ago about jet-skis cruising at high speed in Phang Nga bay where tourists enjoy the nature sitting in inflatable canoes, 2 jet-skis of a big yacht and also getting into narrow caves, he said they are planning to do something about "Thai registered" jet-skis but no plan for other jet-skis. This is very wrong. Ban all jet-skis...
Posted by
phuket119
on
August 22, 2015 07:51
I was of the opinion that the zones might work but i now believe they cannot as these vendors do not know the meaning of compromise. ITs either all or nothing but no in between. I think leave the beaches clean of the beds but if you do that Jetskis have to be banned completely too.
The problem here is the mixed signals the local Government have been sending out and their pure inability to make a decision and stick to it. Once you have clarity you can patrol the law.
Also the idea that beach goers cannot bring their own equipment to the beach is ridiculous and laughable.
Maybe the PM can recommend them to watch Baywatch to see how its done.
Posted by
Ciaran
on
August 22, 2015 08:33
10 percent rule equals 10 percent occupancy !
Joking aside Bondi is a great beach where you park easily, take what you need to the beach, never really hassled. No taxi mafia ready to scratch you car if you park close to the beach ! Copying a success story is always a good idea.
Posted by
Conquestador
on
August 22, 2015 08:52
How come, almost all people who see what is going on can solve this problem. Yet the people in power have no idea how to.
Posted by
Tbs
on
August 22, 2015 09:20
I'm not really an oldy, but trying and close to become one. Just a few weeks ago I got my 2nd artificial hip installed. The one from 2014 broke almost spontenously.They had to take me by ambulance to Bangkok because here they had not a replacement hip and no Dr. Was able to do this complicated job. My leg couldn't bent at all so flying by plane was not an optiion. Dr. VAJARA asked and received tips from Professor Wallop. Asia's Guru on bones. During my 12 hour drive by ambulance a new hip was designed and fabricated. Wallop & Vajara leaded a team of 6 more surgeons. Since 5 days I'm allowed again to walk after weeks off being not to do so. Therefore my muscles are weak. I received many advices, tips and restrictions. One of them is. Don't sit on the ground. The sitting down and sitting itself would be the easy and the fun part. However the getting Up part can bring me back to my first sentence of this story. Yes back for 12 hours with doctors, a nurse and a driver in an ambulance a raison of 115.000 baht to Bangkok Hospital in Bangkok. I doubt professor Wallop will mobilise his medic team again. I know my story is a bit unique. But please Governor stop smashing the RiceBowl. Patong has partly become for what is now because elderly and disabled like me could enjoy the besch in a for us "oldies" comfortable way. The slogan "Rules are made to create space for exceptions shoukd get legal support her. Every one with a Drms certificate should be allowed to make use of a beach chair. Please be aware old western bones and muscles can not handle the same situations as Thai people have been used to all over a lifetime.
Posted by
phuketgreed
on
August 22, 2015 13:00
Hey TBS spot on. We expats must just sit back, relax. When all these out of work officials are begging at the side of the road, just remember, do not bring your own anything, do not give them anything and never park anywhere near them.
Time to let the rotting golden goose smell get them.
They never stuck to the law, but the law will stick to them.
Posted by
Duncan B
on
August 22, 2015 13:04
@ Tbs. The power of corruption can make anybody blind and helpless. Too much bending over and butt kissing going on and not enough standing upright and solving the problems at hand.
Remember, corruption, you can't beat the stealing.
Posted by
Robin
on
August 22, 2015 13:19
I still can not believe there are people that are hoping that the jet ski's will be removed. Poor souls.
Posted by
Carl
on
August 22, 2015 13:35
I find the editor's comment to itsamystery rather sad.
"The tourists can take it or leave it."
After seven years of Phuket holidays this tourist is leaving it, and has booked Da Nang instead. In a funny way we should thank Phuket for this as we will be expanding our tourist horizons, and saving money as Vietnam is cheaper than Phuket. (most resorts are now)
All we now expect from the editor is a sarky comment along the lines of " don't let the door slam you on your ass on the way out" or "good riddance".
Posted by
Max
on
August 22, 2015 14:58
Editor Comment:
Not at all, Max. But if you are from Europe, you probably come from a place where the residents control what happens to their country and its remaining natural beauty. If you'd had thousands of tourists despoiling your most prized natural attractions, you might understand. It's the same with the speedboat anchors that, we are led to believe, still drag destructively across coral reefs to ''give the tourists what they want.'' Good luck with Da Nang. You may find, as so many have in the past, that there is no place like Thailand.
All working people the west coast live of tourism, directly or indirectly, now they will get plenty of time to walk on empty "natural" beaches.
Can just hope this enjoyment will compensate for income to pay food and accommodation.
Posted by
Sherlock
on
August 22, 2015 16:47
Editor Comment:
It will take a couple of years at most for the natural beaches to become the jewels in tourism's crown that they were before the private profit-takers took control.
Comparing Patong to Bondi is a bit of a joke. There is no mass of jet skis on Bondi. Bondi is also full of residents, not all tourists as you may think. They may be short term visitors at times but also a young crowd. Nothing like Phuket. No one will ever take the officials seriously while they allow jet skis to stink up and pollute and annoy everyone. Really is simple, if you do not want beds ban everything commercial and allow people to bring there own. There is so much to enjoy on the island not just lying on the beach.
Posted by
Davemc60
on
August 22, 2015 17:31
I agree whole heartedly with the Editor. Let people bring their own chairs & umbrellas. But please. please ban jet skies - they are just a dangerous polluting menace. Most countries you need a proper licence to drive one anyway
Posted by
David
on
August 22, 2015 17:53
They should make a new rule regarding jet-skis.
If somone on a jet-ski come closer than rock-throw-distance from where you swim, you may throw that person with the rock.
At least, allow us tourists to bring our own umbrellas
Posted by
Abr??
on
August 22, 2015 17:56
If Phuket wants the cashed up retired people from other countries to keep having their annual holidays here, some stay up to 6 months the people in charge need to allow sun lounges and umbrella's on the beaches again but properly regulated
If they are happy with Chinese tourists who usually only stay for short periods on average less than 2 weeks and do not visit the beaches usually ban then.
Don't forget long term tourists support local businesses from restaurants to car rental, just have a look at the amount of small businesses closed at present and for sale
Posted by
Peter Allen
on
August 22, 2015 18:00
Editor Comment:
You must be new to Phuket. There are not many examples of ''proper regulation.'' Who tells the hundreds of additional tourists who want sunbeds that they can't have them? Fluctuations in where tourists come from have little to do with the sunbed saga.
Dithering and vacillating; nitwit construction projects at Chalong will kill businesses in Rawai; jet-ski operators continue to extort and bully innocent tourists with the collusion of the BIB. Is it no wonder that I became, after twenty years in once-beautiful Phuket, enough disillusioned with the place to move my family to a less attractive but eminently more honest region? I admire you folks who fight for a better Phuket but most of you don't have youngsters with a future to look after. I have and I've had enough.
Posted by
Sam Wilko
on
August 22, 2015 18:24
" There are not many examples of ''proper regulation.'' ".
This is a very bad excuse for banning what the majority of the tourists, who keep the west coast towns alive, want.
However an extremely good argument to change the people, who are in charge for regulations.
Posted by
Sherlock
on
August 22, 2015 18:45
Editor Comment:
The ban on sunbed renting is because it's a breach of Thailand's law, Sherlock. Any attempt at compromise also breaches the law. And yet here you are, still arguing that somehow, the authorities are going to join you in your wish to continue breaking the law.
New to Phuket Ed I have lived here permanently for over 9 years now, how long have you lived here
I have seen Nai Harn beach go from 4 small groups of sun lounges, to the whole beach covered with them up to 7 rows deep at the south end when the tide was out, if you wanted to sit on the beach or use your own chairs the only place left to sit or put chairs was in the surf.
All small businesses are missing the long term tourists, why don't you ask a few and find out for yourself, its not hard to do, try the small guest houses and resorts who relied on their business for a starting point, then restaurants, bars and bike and car rental businesses they are all suffering
and quite a few going broke.
The long term tourists are already going to other holiday destinations and if happy in their new choice of destination will not return to Phuket
Posted by
Peter allen
on
August 22, 2015 19:24
Editor Comment:
Longer than you. Please see the reply to the previous comment.
You have made a strong argument in support of the ban on sunbeds. If the tourists were only coming to Nai Harn for the sunbeds, it's just as well the plug has been pulled and the area - once noted for its scenic beachfront - can recover. I seem to remember the public parkland disappearing under illegal restaurants, too. This is not about the money but about recovering the beautiful beach that existed before greed invaded Nai Harn.
A lot of buisness are going broke and nothing to do with sunbeds, basic supply and demand usually as is common in Thailand one shop opens and is succesful soon another three shops open similiar nearby.
Posted by
Michael
on
August 22, 2015 20:31
Editor Comment:
Indeed. The rush to make a fast buck has generated a greed rush. Phuket's popularity and the businesses that don't really give a damn about sustainability as long as they are making money are killing the island. Those who take a longer-term view will benefit from sensible changes.
I do not know Ed how you came to the conclusion I make a strong argument for ban of sunbeds because I do not unlike you.
I see a lot of Thai people employed by small businesses losing their jobs because the owners both Thai and foreign cannot afford to employ them any more and are using family members instead if they can.
I like a lot of people have trouble getting up again if I sit on the sand and am happy to pay a vendor for the use of their equipment.
It just needs to be controlled and policed properly by local local authorities with all revenue made going to the government
It's certainly not the Royal Thai navy's job to do this as you have suggested
Posted by
peter allen
on
August 22, 2015 20:38
Editor Comment:
Like I said, peter, you must have arrived on the island last week if you believe a sunbed policy can be ''controlled'' by local authorities. We say the sunbed ban should stay and tourists should be allowed to bring their own equipment. That works at beaches around the world with a future. Without a brake on all the excessive commercial activities you seem to be committed to supporting, Phuket is doomed. Nai Harn and the area around the beach look much healthier now than it has for several years. The park could do with some serious preservation work, though. It's the people who are only concerned about money that have caused the problem. That includes the local council. I've never seen any sign that the council is intent on preserving the beach or the park behind it. A restaurant survived for years on the rocks at the beach and was obviously illegal - a sign of how much the council cares and how much effort would go into ''proper regulation''. Plainly, local businesses don't have enough interest in preserving the environment and their future either.
Personally I think the current prime minister is doing a very good job at stopping corrupt as do a lot of other people and he will over time stop most of it, the world was not made in a day and there is some corruption in every country
If there are corrupt local authorities their time will come if they do not sort things out
Driving long term tourists to other holiday destinations including in Thailand where they can rent sun lounges will certainly not help the local economy.
Personally I would like to see less tourists, the tour buses are taking over the roads here
Today we were behind one that had black smoke pouring out of the exhaust every time it accelerated, how it could pass a vehicle inspection I do not have a clue, a lot of these buses are over 20 years old and in terrible condition, but it will take time to be sorted out
And its not the Royal Thai army, navy or airforce or police job to do so as some people seem to think but local authorities who should be doing their job properly which will happen eventually the way things are going
Posted by
peter allen
on
August 22, 2015 21:17
And permit to have jet skis on the beach is not a violation of Thai law, or how it is now, with the exercise of the law. Not strangely that many people get confused.
Posted by
Sherlock
on
August 23, 2015 00:50
Editor Comment:
Yes, how confused the authorities have become. It is a violation of the law if the jet-skis are on the beaches, or if the transactions take place on the sand. The jet-skis at this time of year are on the beaches.
I don't think you can compare a tourist activity that irreparably churns up the great coral reefs to sunbeds set up each day and removed at night. They might change the view but it's hardly irreparable damage. isnt it the jet skis that are likely to cause permanent damage to the environment not the sunbeds. I don't see the former going anywhere soon. My response to phuketwan's reply to my previous post is one of disappointment. If this reflects the attitude of Thailand to tourists, then so be it. If it ignores it's loyal tourists, It will get what it deserves .
Posted by
Itsamystery
on
August 23, 2015 05:01
Editor Comment:
The same people who lie on the sunbeds catch the speedboats, it's a mystery. Those who make money from them have equal disdain for the environment.
Twenty years of bad judgement cannot be corrected overnight. It might take five years, but Phuket now has the opportunity to survive as a destination for much longer. One of these days, the military clearances will be viewed as one of the best things that ever happened to tourism in Thailand. Nut-browned hedonists may never see it that way.
Peter Allen,
And many people believe the world is a sphere but we know its really flat and governments just want to protect us from venturing too far, falling off the edge and becoming another missing person.
Posted by
MoW
on
August 23, 2015 05:03
Editor Comment:
The councils have proven to be so incompetent at managing beaches - because of the money - that Phuketwan has lfor many years advocated establishment of a Phuket Beach Authority, with the Royal Thai Navy as honest enforcers. Nobody else will do it to Thailand's benefit.
I will be visiting Phuket for the third time very soon and very happy that most of the beds and umbrellas have been removed from the beaches. If any hiring of umbrellas is to be done it should be by vendors off the beach and the hirer takes it to the beach and sets it up themselves. As for Jet skis - the biggest con going.
Posted by
Roger
on
August 23, 2015 05:09
"About 30 officials were told at Kathu district office by Vice Governor Suthee Tongyam that he found Bondi beach ''very clean'' on a recent trip (people in Australia mostly bring their own chairs and umbrellas to beaches.)"
Of course the beach was very clean when
he visited - it was in the middle of winter - hardly anyone on the beach!
Posted by
farang tourist
on
August 23, 2015 07:33
Farang Tourist,
He may also be interested in knowing that local authorities do take responsibility for cleaning beaches and do so with equipment that has been commercially available for the last 30 or more years.
And DC9's are no longer the preferred travel experience.
Posted by
MoW
on
August 23, 2015 09:37
I presume Editor by using the term nut-browned hedonists you are referring insultingly to people who choose to spend their vacation lying on a sunbed with an umbrella on a Thailand beach. (God forbid). Why such a person should deserve such a label Is definitely a mystery.
Posted by
Itsamystery
on
August 23, 2015 11:24
Editor Comment:
What label? It's an accurate description of many of the people after a week or two. Lying in the sun is addictive but hardly healthy.
Itsamystery,
I agree with you. More like the skin of an old dried pune.
Posted by
MoW
on
August 23, 2015 16:22
Will tourists be able to bring their own umbrellas, mats, gazebo's and towels to the beaches?
Posted by
AJ
on
August 25, 2015 20:14
Editor Comment:
Towels or mats, yes. Umbrellas or gazebos, no . . .
I've been to Phuket a couple of times; when the sunbeds was still available and also last year after it was banned.
I prefer it without the sunbeds but as long as tourists are allowed to bring their own umbrellas or gazebos and mats and towels.
Is there a possibility that the sunbeds will be banned and also that tourists won't be able to bring their own??
Posted by
an3s
on
August 25, 2015 20:21
Editor Comment:
The commonsense solution is not yet made, an3s. So far, tourists can not make their own decisions about anything. The reason why you go to a beach is, of course, to be free to choose where you sit, what you bring, and whether you swim or not. The local Phuket authorities just don't get it. After two decades of rip-offs, who can blame them?
I find it strange that with dirty beaches full of rubbish, where the sand in the water is sticky from fuel from boats and jetskis, and Patong in general is smelly, with people annoying you to buy suits, get massages and buy time shares, and constant noise from buildings going up, that people's biggest concerns is beach chairs. Maybe Patong has changed since I was there 4 years ago but I doubt that.
Posted by
Fred
on
August 26, 2015 09:26
I find it strange that people who haven't been in Patong for years still read the news about a town they don't like because of several reasons.
Posted by
marko
on
August 26, 2015 13:06
|
byee byee patong
Posted by karsten on August 22, 2015 01:50