PHUKET: A violent confrontation is feared if a construction company proceeds with plans to chop down 32 trees and destroy a serene glade on the shorefront at Phuket's internationally famous Nai Harn beach.
Although there's talk of a ''project pause,'' a group of constructors were being instructed on final plans and talking rudely to residents when Phuketwan visited the iconic site yesterday evening, shortly before sunset.
Angry locals have pulled down and destroyed a sign announcing formal notification of the project's go-ahead, trees have been bound with monks' saffron robes in an effort to protect them, and the Mayor of Rawai who quietly approved the foreshore destruction has become impossible to contact.
''We will have 500 people on the street within seconds if anyone tries to cut our trees,'' a beach vendor told Phuketwan. ''This is the action of people who have no understanding of nature or tourism.''
Heat is now being added by distraught businesses and expat residents who have suddenly learned, thanks to Phuketwan, that destruction of the 32 trees to make way for a ''Hollywood movie museum'' is a done deal. Axemen could move in at any minute.
Just how the Tourism and Sport Ministry sanctioned a 40-million baht investment that would actually ruin a renowned Phuket beauty spot has yet to be determined.
Last year, the local council allowed illegal private restaurants to almost totally take over the glade and an illicit restaurant to set up on a bayside headland.
The private diners went with the military beach and foreshore clearances.
Phuket Tourism and Sport director Santi Pawai is understood to have hawked the 40-million baht movie museum to different councils around Phuket and found a willing taker in Rawai Mayor Aroon Saroj.
Although Phuketwan reported that the museum was going into the glade back in April, apathy appeared to be widespread until this week, when residents and tourists realised the project was more than theory.
Contracts have been signed and there will be a huge legal stoush if it does not proceed. And talk of it going on-hold is belied by the signatures on the paper.
Looking at the magnificent trees in the glade that backs one of Asia's Top 10 beaches yesterday, Phuketwan's reporters could only shake their heads.
And the project was planned to begin just as the tourism high season begins on the holiday island.
What does Tourism and Sport know or care about nature? That's a new question.
The same question has already been answered about Phuket's local councils - they have allowed private profit on public space for decades.
With Phuket's beaches being deserted by regulars because there is no consistent policy on sunbeds, jet-skis and parasails - which are all banned in neighboring Krabi and Phang Nga - Phuketwan can only renew its call for the creation of an independent Phuket Beach Authority to replace the local councils and provide consistent good management.
The future of ''quality'' tourism on Phuket may depend on it.
Although there's talk of a ''project pause,'' a group of constructors were being instructed on final plans and talking rudely to residents when Phuketwan visited the iconic site yesterday evening, shortly before sunset.
Angry locals have pulled down and destroyed a sign announcing formal notification of the project's go-ahead, trees have been bound with monks' saffron robes in an effort to protect them, and the Mayor of Rawai who quietly approved the foreshore destruction has become impossible to contact.
''We will have 500 people on the street within seconds if anyone tries to cut our trees,'' a beach vendor told Phuketwan. ''This is the action of people who have no understanding of nature or tourism.''
Heat is now being added by distraught businesses and expat residents who have suddenly learned, thanks to Phuketwan, that destruction of the 32 trees to make way for a ''Hollywood movie museum'' is a done deal. Axemen could move in at any minute.
Just how the Tourism and Sport Ministry sanctioned a 40-million baht investment that would actually ruin a renowned Phuket beauty spot has yet to be determined.
Last year, the local council allowed illegal private restaurants to almost totally take over the glade and an illicit restaurant to set up on a bayside headland.
The private diners went with the military beach and foreshore clearances.
Phuket Tourism and Sport director Santi Pawai is understood to have hawked the 40-million baht movie museum to different councils around Phuket and found a willing taker in Rawai Mayor Aroon Saroj.
Although Phuketwan reported that the museum was going into the glade back in April, apathy appeared to be widespread until this week, when residents and tourists realised the project was more than theory.
Contracts have been signed and there will be a huge legal stoush if it does not proceed. And talk of it going on-hold is belied by the signatures on the paper.
Looking at the magnificent trees in the glade that backs one of Asia's Top 10 beaches yesterday, Phuketwan's reporters could only shake their heads.
And the project was planned to begin just as the tourism high season begins on the holiday island.
What does Tourism and Sport know or care about nature? That's a new question.
The same question has already been answered about Phuket's local councils - they have allowed private profit on public space for decades.
With Phuket's beaches being deserted by regulars because there is no consistent policy on sunbeds, jet-skis and parasails - which are all banned in neighboring Krabi and Phang Nga - Phuketwan can only renew its call for the creation of an independent Phuket Beach Authority to replace the local councils and provide consistent good management.
The future of ''quality'' tourism on Phuket may depend on it.
Chop down the tree's, fill it with concrete, bring in the jetski's and the para-sailors with there boats and what do you have? The idealic Phuket beach. Glad I experienced it twenty years ago and now I'm glad I'm out! Yes Ed I'm a doomsayer when it comes to Phuket, beat ya to it!
Posted by coxo on November 11, 2015 08:43
Editor Comment:
So you mean, all the comments you've made have been based on you not being here, coxo? 193 opinions, and you're not even on the island?