News Analysis
PHUKET: A reader sent a couple of snaps of Phuket's Ya Nui beach, taken yesterday, with a protest about the number of loungers on the sand.
Once one of Phuket's secret delights - a small beach with few loungers - Ya Nui appears to have been discovered. Locals are not all pleased.
''I know it's the height of high season, but really . . . who owns the beach? Who allows the deckchairs on there? Ya Nui is a small beach and it's being ruined,'' the Phuketwan reader wrote.
''Look at the spacing between the chairs. It's almost impossible to pass between them. You are sat shoulder to shoulder with the person in the next pair of chairs.
''Every single scrap of sand has been taken up by chairs. A few of us gnarly old expats who are too impecunious to rent chairs today actually couldn't even place a sarong on the sand and sit down.
''The greed at Ya Nui is unbelievable.
''We went to Nai Harn instead where at least there is some space between the chairs and we can comfortably walk to the cheap seats at the front and put our towels down.''
Locals at other Phuket beaches are increasingly concerned. Another resident writes about Nia Thon, further north along Phuket's west coast and once also as appealing for the same reasons as Ya Nui: ''Gone are quiet sunsets with just the waves on Nai Thon Beach.
''The beach bar has expanded its 'territory' by about 30 percent, added more tables and chairs, and turns up the volume to the wee hours instead of turning it down.''
Almost every week now, more Phuket beaches are being commercialised for private profit.
Should there be a strategy to protect Phuket's beaches from overuse and abuse?
Phuketwan believes there should be one authority in control of all Phuket beaches, safeguarding their treatment, and the future of tourism on Phuket.
As the last few beaches on Phuket open up for development, the need for action becomes crystal clear - even if the sea water is no longer in that condition.
Not only is Yanui overcrowded but also highly polluted. At the northern end of the beach the open sewer from houses across the street pours freely onto the beach and into the sea.
Walk around near that area barefoot and you are likely to get stained by engine oil residue much like those from an oil spill. I'd love to see the results of a soil and water sample taken at Yanui.
There's also more garbage on that beach than on any other beach I've seen in Phuket. Go to any place in Phuket where locals gather and it's obvious from the garbage that whatever they eat and drink on their picnic is just simply left there.
For some inexplicable reason glass bottles are often smashed to further add to reasons not to walk barefoot on Phuket beaches.
The lack of caring and understanding is mindblowing and as much as locals would like to blame it all on tourists, the garbage comes almost exclusively from locals.
Posted by Steve C. on January 16, 2012 10:26