PHUKET: Talks continued behind closed doors after about 50 beach workers were denied entry to a meeting about the future of Phuket's beach workers today.
Three representatives joined the meeting at Thalang district offices as Vice Governor Chokdee Amornwat heard about options for the beaches in the district, Bang Tao, Surin, Laypang and Mai Khao.
Some of the workers denied entry were not happy to be excluded.
One told Phuketwan: ''We want to join this meeting to get an update on our jobs. We want to observe this meeting. We have some information to tell the Vice Governor.
''Some people lost their job last year and now we want to tell the Vice Governor that we want our jobs back.
''We want to give the Vice Governor an updated list on who lost their job so we are not unfairly excluded from legitimately registered beach workers.''
All private enterprises were cleared from Phuket's popular public beaches after the military took control in Thailand in May last year.
A concept of allowing limited commerce in a ''10 percent zone'' at each beach is still being discussed. However, there are doubt that the ''10 percent zone'' can be enforced.
Sunlovers wishing to bring their own equipment would be forced to share the ''10 percent zone'' with umbrella and mat hirers.
The meeting broke up after the beach workers headed for home. More talks about beaches in other Phuket districts are to be held before a policy on Phuket's beaches is revealed on Friday, just in time for the tourism high season that begins on November 1.
Illegal beach restaurants and clubs have been removed from Phuket's foreshores except at Laypang and Surin, where some still operate.
Resorts at some beach destinations report a drop in bookings from regular visitors.
Yesterday Vice Governor Chokdee and the Mayors of Rawai and Karon met to discuss the confusion over the ''10 percent zone'' rule.
Aroon Soroj, the mayor of Rawai spoke about his concerns relating to beaches under his control, including Nai Harn, Ya Nui, Ao Sane and Laem Ka.
Mayor Soroj was particularly concerned about beaches on Racha Island - a popular snorkelling and diving day-trip destination for tourists.
Last year former Governor Nisit Jansomwong ordered that no business be conducted on Racha Island and that the ''10 percent zone'' rule did not apply.
Mayor Aroon was keen yesterday to have the vice governor approve the 10 percent rule for Racha Island.
But the vice governor told Mayor Aroon that the rule has not been finally determined and if implemented, must first be tested on Phuket???s beaches
''The 10 percent rule will not work on every beach and it will depend on the different characteristics of the beaches,'' Vice Governor Chokdee told Mayor Aroon.
''oday there is much competition with other countries in relation to tourism, so we must cooperate together - mayors, governors, people - to achieve the best outcome for Phuket.
''You should be thinking about the public interest and the long term development of tourism on Phuket.
''This is like a dream, the roadmap is not clear yet but at least we can start to do something,'' Vice Governor Chokdee said.
The vice governor added that he would like to have a special committee established to consider issues related to beaches across Phuket.
Phuket police remain firm on their understanding of the ''10 percent zone rule,'' stating there should not be any business on the beach.
''If you conduct illegal business on the beach you will be arrested,'' a police spokesman said.
Three representatives joined the meeting at Thalang district offices as Vice Governor Chokdee Amornwat heard about options for the beaches in the district, Bang Tao, Surin, Laypang and Mai Khao.
Some of the workers denied entry were not happy to be excluded.
One told Phuketwan: ''We want to join this meeting to get an update on our jobs. We want to observe this meeting. We have some information to tell the Vice Governor.
''Some people lost their job last year and now we want to tell the Vice Governor that we want our jobs back.
''We want to give the Vice Governor an updated list on who lost their job so we are not unfairly excluded from legitimately registered beach workers.''
All private enterprises were cleared from Phuket's popular public beaches after the military took control in Thailand in May last year.
A concept of allowing limited commerce in a ''10 percent zone'' at each beach is still being discussed. However, there are doubt that the ''10 percent zone'' can be enforced.
Sunlovers wishing to bring their own equipment would be forced to share the ''10 percent zone'' with umbrella and mat hirers.
The meeting broke up after the beach workers headed for home. More talks about beaches in other Phuket districts are to be held before a policy on Phuket's beaches is revealed on Friday, just in time for the tourism high season that begins on November 1.
Illegal beach restaurants and clubs have been removed from Phuket's foreshores except at Laypang and Surin, where some still operate.
Resorts at some beach destinations report a drop in bookings from regular visitors.
Yesterday Vice Governor Chokdee and the Mayors of Rawai and Karon met to discuss the confusion over the ''10 percent zone'' rule.
Aroon Soroj, the mayor of Rawai spoke about his concerns relating to beaches under his control, including Nai Harn, Ya Nui, Ao Sane and Laem Ka.
Mayor Soroj was particularly concerned about beaches on Racha Island - a popular snorkelling and diving day-trip destination for tourists.
Last year former Governor Nisit Jansomwong ordered that no business be conducted on Racha Island and that the ''10 percent zone'' rule did not apply.
Mayor Aroon was keen yesterday to have the vice governor approve the 10 percent rule for Racha Island.
But the vice governor told Mayor Aroon that the rule has not been finally determined and if implemented, must first be tested on Phuket???s beaches
''The 10 percent rule will not work on every beach and it will depend on the different characteristics of the beaches,'' Vice Governor Chokdee told Mayor Aroon.
''oday there is much competition with other countries in relation to tourism, so we must cooperate together - mayors, governors, people - to achieve the best outcome for Phuket.
''You should be thinking about the public interest and the long term development of tourism on Phuket.
''This is like a dream, the roadmap is not clear yet but at least we can start to do something,'' Vice Governor Chokdee said.
The vice governor added that he would like to have a special committee established to consider issues related to beaches across Phuket.
Phuket police remain firm on their understanding of the ''10 percent zone rule,'' stating there should not be any business on the beach.
''If you conduct illegal business on the beach you will be arrested,'' a police spokesman said.
What I do not understand about this whole debacle is how local mayors or even a provincial governor can issue orders or permits in direct conflict with Thai law.
Unless I've missed something really essential, the law clearly states "No commercial activity allowed on beaches"
Not on 10% or any other part of the beach. None, nada, niente.
On Phuket we have local officials handing out permits to break the law. At least previously even for a fee.
Amazing indeed.
Posted by Herbert on October 28, 2015 22:32