PHUKET: Jet-skis at Phuket's Patong beach are to be restricted to narrower access in a victory for swimmers' safety and commonsense, Phuketwan has learned.
Although the two 500 metre stretches of prime beach handed over to jet-skis, speedboats and longtails are to disappear, it's not clear as yet what will replace them.
Any plan that reduces the access of jet-skis to Patong beachfront will improve the quality of the beach - and probably save lives.
A previous attempt at a compromise between the commerce-free beaches and the private enterprise jet-skis in the water gave over prime space on the sand to the machines and their masters.
It meant that anyone who sat down on the beach in the jet-ski only zone either took their chances in the water with the machines or had to walk hundreds of metres along the beach to go for a safe swim.
It's believed the Governor of Phuket, Nisit Jansomwong, ordered the reduction in the access for jet-skis followng complaints and articles in Phuketwan highlighting the dangers.
The new superintendent of Kathu Police Station, Colonel Chaiwat Auikam, said yesterday that more talks on safety at Patong beach are to take place between the governor, the Royal Thai Navy and Phuket's Marine 5 Office, which registers and controls the jet-skis.
Criticism of the jet-skis is widespread, with three out of four people surveyed in a recent Phuket tabloid poll preferring the beaches without them.
Confusion also remains about where jet-skis are allowed to operate on Phuket. Eleven jet-skis were spotted on Relax Bay, the beach in front of the Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort earlier this week.
Previously, jet-skis were believed to be banned from operating there.
A move to phase out jet-skis from Phuket over seven years failed when a succession of governors decided instead to compromise.
Although the two 500 metre stretches of prime beach handed over to jet-skis, speedboats and longtails are to disappear, it's not clear as yet what will replace them.
Any plan that reduces the access of jet-skis to Patong beachfront will improve the quality of the beach - and probably save lives.
A previous attempt at a compromise between the commerce-free beaches and the private enterprise jet-skis in the water gave over prime space on the sand to the machines and their masters.
It meant that anyone who sat down on the beach in the jet-ski only zone either took their chances in the water with the machines or had to walk hundreds of metres along the beach to go for a safe swim.
It's believed the Governor of Phuket, Nisit Jansomwong, ordered the reduction in the access for jet-skis followng complaints and articles in Phuketwan highlighting the dangers.
The new superintendent of Kathu Police Station, Colonel Chaiwat Auikam, said yesterday that more talks on safety at Patong beach are to take place between the governor, the Royal Thai Navy and Phuket's Marine 5 Office, which registers and controls the jet-skis.
Criticism of the jet-skis is widespread, with three out of four people surveyed in a recent Phuket tabloid poll preferring the beaches without them.
Confusion also remains about where jet-skis are allowed to operate on Phuket. Eleven jet-skis were spotted on Relax Bay, the beach in front of the Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort earlier this week.
Previously, jet-skis were believed to be banned from operating there.
A move to phase out jet-skis from Phuket over seven years failed when a succession of governors decided instead to compromise.
Recent news that jet-skis paid 5000 baht a year for 'registration' although no receipt was given was telling.
Add that up with a cut from all the scams and it is a nice earner for some officials. No wonder nothing is ever done about these people.
Posted by Arun Muruga on January 22, 2015 09:43