PHUKET: The fight to save the future of the Andaman coast region took a step forward yesterday when officials from five provinces met to determine a strategy.
Representatives from Phuket, Krabi, Phang Nga, Satun and Trang now seem united in a collective desire to create a four-year strategy that works.
Driven by the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, the gathering at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday at least produced rumblings that action is necessary today to strike a balance with nature and prevent profit-takers destroying the Andaman.
Tourism Association of Phang Nga representative Yutthana Sangnnamg put it bluntly: ''We should limit tourist numbers, and why not?
''There is no proper management at departure piers so we know precisely how many people are visiting the region's marine national parks, and where the money goes.''
She also said that the speedy development of Khao Lak as the main tourism jump-point north of Phuket meant that the town desperately needed more officers and better policing.
The chief officer of Trang province, Chiayaporn Pattanarak, said too-rapid development was a concern.
''Government support is needed with good infrastructure,'' he said.
Krabi Tourism Association representative Sirawi Walao said that culture was important, and that the region also didn't need 100 speedboats dropping 100 anchors in inappropriate places 100 times a day.
''Nature needs protecting and creating a network of buoys throughout the region is something that needs to be done.''
On Phuket, package tourists especially from China have created the spectre of coordinated networks sucking away revenue from tourism into fewer and fewer pockets.
Last week's revelation of a ''recession'' in Phuket's Kata-Karon region was the latest sign of just how speedily local industries can be ruined by policies of greed.
Phuket Governor Nisit Jansomwong said that safety should not be overlooked, either.
In the wake of the burning and sinking of the Krabi to Phuket ferry earlier this year, the honorary consul for Switzerland especially had expressed concern about insurance.
Many people who were bringing their holiday luggage back to Phuket lost everything and have so far been denied adequate compensation.
Phuketwan has also been told of day-trip backpackers who claimed what they lost was valued at 300,000 baht.
''We should put safety and security as an important past of this concept,'' the governor said, noting that there had yet to be a response from a Pattaya dive company after an American diver went missing in the sea off Phuket on a trip to the Similan islands.
Substantial sums were expended on fuel during the attempted search and rescue operation. After making preliminary investigations, the dive vessel continued to the Similans and took no further part, choosing to make money from paying passengers instead.
Local cultures should become a powerful selling point for the region, said Bhuritt Masswongsa, of the Phuket Tourism Association.
''Let's not let academics make all the decisions about the region's future,'' he said. ''Leading research institutes should also be involved in this.''
Phuketwan's view is that a forward strategy must slow development throughout the region by making construction more expensive.
Shophouse rows have replaced roadside greenery across Phuket. The overdevelopment of Phi Phi is another sad lesson in opportunism and lack of future planning.
Beaches and reefs clearly need better protection and guardians who are not concerned about their own greed.
Patong Photo Album: What Phuketwan Says:
THE GOVERNOR of Phuket chose Patong to become the role model for the island's beaches yet his reforms have failed because the local municipal council admits it cannot enforce any rules. Jet-skis, wisely banned in Phang Nga and Krabi, now predominate along the beachfront.
Phuketwan has been told that touts now try to sell jet-ski rides in Soi Bangla walking street, where time-share touts and lewd sex-show touts already create the wrong impression.
If the Andaman region is to have a future in tourism, Phuketwan believes Phuket must set the right example by:
.. banning jet-skis;
.. reducing extraordinary commissions
.. savagely cutting tuk-tuk and taxi fares;
.. clearing commerce from all the beaches for good;
.. allowing tourists to bring their own beach chairs and umbrellas.
Representatives from Phuket, Krabi, Phang Nga, Satun and Trang now seem united in a collective desire to create a four-year strategy that works.
Driven by the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, the gathering at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday at least produced rumblings that action is necessary today to strike a balance with nature and prevent profit-takers destroying the Andaman.
Tourism Association of Phang Nga representative Yutthana Sangnnamg put it bluntly: ''We should limit tourist numbers, and why not?
''There is no proper management at departure piers so we know precisely how many people are visiting the region's marine national parks, and where the money goes.''
She also said that the speedy development of Khao Lak as the main tourism jump-point north of Phuket meant that the town desperately needed more officers and better policing.
The chief officer of Trang province, Chiayaporn Pattanarak, said too-rapid development was a concern.
''Government support is needed with good infrastructure,'' he said.
Krabi Tourism Association representative Sirawi Walao said that culture was important, and that the region also didn't need 100 speedboats dropping 100 anchors in inappropriate places 100 times a day.
''Nature needs protecting and creating a network of buoys throughout the region is something that needs to be done.''
On Phuket, package tourists especially from China have created the spectre of coordinated networks sucking away revenue from tourism into fewer and fewer pockets.
Last week's revelation of a ''recession'' in Phuket's Kata-Karon region was the latest sign of just how speedily local industries can be ruined by policies of greed.
Phuket Governor Nisit Jansomwong said that safety should not be overlooked, either.
In the wake of the burning and sinking of the Krabi to Phuket ferry earlier this year, the honorary consul for Switzerland especially had expressed concern about insurance.
Many people who were bringing their holiday luggage back to Phuket lost everything and have so far been denied adequate compensation.
Phuketwan has also been told of day-trip backpackers who claimed what they lost was valued at 300,000 baht.
''We should put safety and security as an important past of this concept,'' the governor said, noting that there had yet to be a response from a Pattaya dive company after an American diver went missing in the sea off Phuket on a trip to the Similan islands.
Substantial sums were expended on fuel during the attempted search and rescue operation. After making preliminary investigations, the dive vessel continued to the Similans and took no further part, choosing to make money from paying passengers instead.
Local cultures should become a powerful selling point for the region, said Bhuritt Masswongsa, of the Phuket Tourism Association.
''Let's not let academics make all the decisions about the region's future,'' he said. ''Leading research institutes should also be involved in this.''
Phuketwan's view is that a forward strategy must slow development throughout the region by making construction more expensive.
Shophouse rows have replaced roadside greenery across Phuket. The overdevelopment of Phi Phi is another sad lesson in opportunism and lack of future planning.
Beaches and reefs clearly need better protection and guardians who are not concerned about their own greed.
Patong Photo Album: What Phuketwan Says:
THE GOVERNOR of Phuket chose Patong to become the role model for the island's beaches yet his reforms have failed because the local municipal council admits it cannot enforce any rules. Jet-skis, wisely banned in Phang Nga and Krabi, now predominate along the beachfront.
Phuketwan has been told that touts now try to sell jet-ski rides in Soi Bangla walking street, where time-share touts and lewd sex-show touts already create the wrong impression.
If the Andaman region is to have a future in tourism, Phuketwan believes Phuket must set the right example by:
.. banning jet-skis;
.. reducing extraordinary commissions
.. savagely cutting tuk-tuk and taxi fares;
.. clearing commerce from all the beaches for good;
.. allowing tourists to bring their own beach chairs and umbrellas.
On your photos I see jet skies on the beach. Is it not Phuket marine 5 office who is responsible that no jet skies stay on the beach sands? Why is that still happening? Where is democratic law enforcement?
And as long Phuket Governor just say only that safety should not be overlooked, but he is doing nothing, than it is just cheap thai marketing lip service.
So far the Governor has done nothing with and about the complains and suggestions of all the foreign Consuls on Phuket! Why not? Is being pro-active a sin?
Posted by Kurt on May 23, 2015 10:44