PHUKET: Kamala foreshore businesses were told last night that the beach must be cleared within seven days or vendors will be arrested and prosecuted. Similar moves are underway too at Patong.
Kamala municipal council offered last night to help people move out on Saturday and Sunday by providing transport.
But the vendors were told in a meeting at the Kamala council offices that those who ignore the instruction will face prosecution in seven days.
As at Surin beach to the north, the demarcation line is a path that runs virtually the entire length of Kamala beach. Those on the seaward side must obey or face police action.
Over the years, many of the businesses have expanded towards the high water mark, with the addition of sandbag foundations so sites can be levelled.
Most of the Kamala buildings are timber and will be easier to remove than some of the large concrete structures at Surin.
While Surin has attracted restaurants and beach clubs, the extensive Kamala beach ''shopping mall'' is mostly restaurants and massage shops.
There is at least one beauty salon and a much-acclaimed five-star resort's illegal beach club.
At Patong, Mayor Chalermlak Kebsub has called a private meeting with ''her team'' for Friday to discuss what action should follow on the beach.
Letters have already been sent to eight businesses, including a resort run by local business identity Prab Keesin.
Restaurants at a council-run food court near Loma Park have already been told to demolish illegal extensions. In at least one case, that's already been done.
More activity is expected at other Phuket beaches, especially Nai Harn, Nai Yang and Nai Thon.
Orders to clear the beach in seven days went yesterday to 30 businesses at Surin, 12 at Layan, 40 at Laypang (northern Bang Tao) and more than 70 at Bang Tao. The deadline is next Tuesday.
Years ago, the restaurants operating on the sand at Karon were moved to a council-built building on the other side of the road along the beach.
The problem at Kata took a different form, with pop-up restaurants appearing on the beach at night recently until the local council took decisive action.
Phuketwan understands that the fresh impetus for cleaning up Phuket's west coast beaches comes directly from the coup command, which took control of Thailand on May 22.
The command also supplied soldiers to boost the Region 8 police task force that last week began arrests aimed at ending long-standing extortion and intimidation and reforming Phuket's taxi system.
A third crackdown is anticipated at any moment, aimed at obliterating the unusually high level of illegal drugs offences on Phuket.
All three crackdowns are attributed to the desire of the ruling junta to ''give peace and happiness back to the Thai people by law enforcement, both moral and just.''
Kamala municipal council offered last night to help people move out on Saturday and Sunday by providing transport.
But the vendors were told in a meeting at the Kamala council offices that those who ignore the instruction will face prosecution in seven days.
As at Surin beach to the north, the demarcation line is a path that runs virtually the entire length of Kamala beach. Those on the seaward side must obey or face police action.
Over the years, many of the businesses have expanded towards the high water mark, with the addition of sandbag foundations so sites can be levelled.
Most of the Kamala buildings are timber and will be easier to remove than some of the large concrete structures at Surin.
While Surin has attracted restaurants and beach clubs, the extensive Kamala beach ''shopping mall'' is mostly restaurants and massage shops.
There is at least one beauty salon and a much-acclaimed five-star resort's illegal beach club.
At Patong, Mayor Chalermlak Kebsub has called a private meeting with ''her team'' for Friday to discuss what action should follow on the beach.
Letters have already been sent to eight businesses, including a resort run by local business identity Prab Keesin.
Restaurants at a council-run food court near Loma Park have already been told to demolish illegal extensions. In at least one case, that's already been done.
More activity is expected at other Phuket beaches, especially Nai Harn, Nai Yang and Nai Thon.
Orders to clear the beach in seven days went yesterday to 30 businesses at Surin, 12 at Layan, 40 at Laypang (northern Bang Tao) and more than 70 at Bang Tao. The deadline is next Tuesday.
Years ago, the restaurants operating on the sand at Karon were moved to a council-built building on the other side of the road along the beach.
The problem at Kata took a different form, with pop-up restaurants appearing on the beach at night recently until the local council took decisive action.
Phuketwan understands that the fresh impetus for cleaning up Phuket's west coast beaches comes directly from the coup command, which took control of Thailand on May 22.
The command also supplied soldiers to boost the Region 8 police task force that last week began arrests aimed at ending long-standing extortion and intimidation and reforming Phuket's taxi system.
A third crackdown is anticipated at any moment, aimed at obliterating the unusually high level of illegal drugs offences on Phuket.
All three crackdowns are attributed to the desire of the ruling junta to ''give peace and happiness back to the Thai people by law enforcement, both moral and just.''
Does this mean in the near future I can walk down the promendae in Patong, unhindered & unharrassed, with my family?
Posted by paul on June 12, 2014 12:09
Editor Comment:
Only if your bodyguards beat off the riders who use the promenade as a motorcycle-only track.