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Displaced Beach Vendors Want Prayuth
By Chutima Sidasathian Friday, July 25, 2014
PHUKET: Vendors removed from Phuket's famous Patong beach want General Prayuth, Thailand's leader, to come to visit so they can discuss the loss of their jobs.
The desire of about 100 displaced vendors ''to talk to the man who makes the decisions'' was revealed at a special meeting organised by the Patong Council yesterday.
The meeting came as clearances continued at Phuket's west coast beaches, where sunbeds and umbrellas are now forbidden and where illegal shorefront restaurants and beach clubs are now being demolished.
Clearly aggrieved to be ordered by the Army to stop their illegal activities, one vendor told the gathering: ''If the National Council for Peace and Order wants everything cleaned up, why not crack down on corruption in Thailand first?''
The beach vendors charge for the use of the sunbeds or sell everything from copy sunglasses to cool drinks to time share holidays as they move from reclining customer to reclining customer.
In high season from November to April, most of Phuket's beaches are so packed with sunbeds that it is difficult to see the sand.
A vibrant debate is continuing between the sunbed fans and other tourists and Phuket residents who appreciate seeing the beaches in a natural, uncluttered state for the first time in about 20 years.
The vendors were displeased to not be consulted before losing their source of income. The chairman of Patong's Beach Umbrellas Association, Ampern Terthin, told yesterday's meeting that he had been working on the beach for 35 years and that like many people, he had no alternative employment except tourism.
The chairman of the Entertainment Association of Patong, Weerawit Kuresombut, said: ''People will now leave garbage behind and vendors won't be there to clean it up,'' Khun Weerawit said.
''Instead of spending all day on the beach, tourists will come for a swim, stay for an hour or 30 minutes, and go.
''Who will benefit now from the money they spend on food and drinks? The resorts.''
Woop-woops and cheers greeted one man who said: ''We want to meet the guy who has the power to make the decisions. Are we allowed to go back to work? When? How? I want to get the information directly from General Prayuth.''
Patong Mayor Chalermlak Kebsub, elected earlier this year, said the council had no say and was simply under orders to carry out what the Army had decided.
Vice Admiral Petchartat Tienanjan listened to what the mayor and the vendors had to say then made the point that the beaches of Phuket had been misused for 35 years, and that what was now important was the long-term sustainability of Phuket's natural environment and the tourism industry.
''It's time you all thought about those things,'' he said.
Vast amounts of money have been made by individuals using the public space of the beaches for private profit. None of that money has gone back into preserving or maintaining the beaches.
''We understand how you feel,'' the vice admiral told the gathering,''we will send on all the comments made by every individual to General Prayuth.
''The same rules are to apply everywhere in Thailand. Phuket just happens to be first because of its importance.''
Outside the meeting, the vice admiral said that people needed to begin to think of sustainability. ''If Phuket does not get the right treatment now, it will die. Nobody will come. The old ways are unsustainable. What about the next generations?''
He added that Phuket also needed new arrangements to cover taxis, jet-skis and speedboats.
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Comments
Comments have been disabled for this article.
Why should Gen Prayuth be accountable to people who have been working illegally and with impunity for years, albeit with the tacit approval of local Gov't, which did nothing to stop them. How big of them to think that the current leader of the country should abandon all his current hard work, pop down to Phuket and justify his actions.
Vice Admiral Petchartat's comments are very succinct and valid; Mayor Chalermlak should be supporting him, not distancing herself from the actions carried out so far.
Posted by
Mister Ree
on
July 25, 2014 11:43
One of the things that always disappointed me about Phuket was nobody was going to see or enjoy the beauty of the beaches like they were when I first visited. The beaches were simply stunning with crystal clear turquoise water and brilliant white sand.
The current clearance gives people back that experience but unfortunately the crystal clear water is probably gone forever in places like Patong.
The Vice-Admiral is correct in stating people had free use of the beaches for 3 decades and they need to be saved for future generations to enjoy as well.
Greed ruined everything. We know, the vendors know, they had their chance but just took more and more of the beach for their private profit.
I have a picture of me sitting on the beach opposite Bangla Road in 1985. There is one small row of deck chairs with 15 to 20 meters between every set of chairs. There was plenty of space for everyone to use the beach.
I applaud the armed forces for fixing this up once and for all.
Posted by
Arun Muruga
on
July 25, 2014 12:25
Beach Umbrella Association - BUA
"BUA" in Thai = Bored
I am bored with the attitude that if something/something else is corrupt, then I can do what I want to do until you stop the others....
Posted by
Tyler
on
July 25, 2014 12:55
No more consulting with these people, it's never worked in the past they can comply with the rules now end of story .The appeasement that has been afforded them and their kind by patong leaders and law enforcment in the past decades has lead to the blatant disregard for rules, thanks to the armed forces the beaches can get their beauty back and keep it for the future
Posted by
scunner
on
July 25, 2014 12:56
What i want to know is what percentage of these vendors are Phuketians, born and raised? I bet, oh no sorry that's illegal, i think it would be a very small amount.
Posted by
phuket madness
on
July 25, 2014 13:18
The vendors have been paying someone who pays someone else, so they don't make huge amounts of money as claimed.
I know many of the people would like to rent a section from the councils, this way they legal and reasonable number of services chairs restaurants can be in suitable places as well as clear space. Money goes to cleaning, policing and enforcing the rented spaces. Every one wins.
In regards to the beaches and clear waters of 20 years ago? There in big difference between thousands of tourists and millions, so get real and compromise!!!
Posted by
Anonymous
on
July 25, 2014 13:38
Editor Comment:
Why would any nation give up its beaches to be misused by profiteers and foreign tourists? The beaches are for the public and most people will get over the abuses of the past 15 years.
I can tell you not one of them would have the balls to tell the good general anything.
Posted by
Ciaran
on
July 25, 2014 14:20
Editor Comment:
In regards to the female vendors, surely you mean ''courage.''
"sunbeds and umbrellas are now forbidden" - for clarity, does that mean visitors like us who have our own portable sun loungers and umbrellas and take them with us as we drive to various beaches, mainly deserted ones, on the Andaman Coast are forbidden from doing so?
Posted by
Alan
on
July 25, 2014 14:20
Editor Comment:
BYO umbrellas are fine.
I liked the comment from the man that had been working on the beach for over 35 years. What happened to all the money? I do agree that the little men have been hit the hardest and the real clean up doesn't seem to have started. It is good to clean the surface but when is the deep cleaning going to become visible?
Posted by
irishkev24
on
July 25, 2014 14:40
Once this old mess is sorted out & as you have so rightly stated, with no compromise, because they see compromise as weakness, a properly appointed authority could provide uniforms for a number of these who profess to want to work, to act as beach cleaners. Maybe that same authority could take care of the beach lifeguards who so often seem to be a reluctant afterthought once a few people have drowned.
Posted by
Logic
on
July 25, 2014 15:38
Editor Comment:
As you know, Logic, we've advocated the creation of a Phuket Beach Authority with the involvement of the Royal Thai Navy to provide a consistent approach on all beaches. There's room for shorefront resorts to reemploy vendors as Beach Guardians entrusted to look after the belongings of guests at the beach. The lifeguards have to concentrate on their important role.
There is more than enough work in Phuket for Thais, send home some Burmese and take over the construction of hotels and houses, if not too lazy.
Posted by
Bjorn Ronningen
on
July 25, 2014 15:46
The chairman of Patong's Beach Umbrellas Association, Ampern Terthin, told yesterday's meeting that he had been working on the beach for 35 years and that like many many people, he had no alternative employment except tourism.
===
True, if he is still in "unskilled workers" category, then in Phuket he could get a job that pays 9,000-15,000(or I saw recently ads 20,000 THB) per month like waiter, salesman etc. If he speaks English, that is rather likely, that he can come close to 20,000THB.
Bun what Khun Ampern and Fellows want, is to earn more than doctor in Bamgkok, 40,000+THB, or probably much much more.
Let's make distinction between EMPLOYMENT income and BUSINESS income, as he actually complaining about a loss of RENTEE income, and which is much more higher if he could get job on his merits and credentials, and moreover is illegal.
But please, you can't complaint about loss of business income risky enterprise of illegal business.
If you don't want to work for 9,000-15,000THB and wish to have much higher income, then either urgently and materially upgrade your skills - and giving your age, I doubt t could happen, or take another risk and if you are flush with business ideas, go and build another business.
You can't complaint that you are entitled to higher income brackets of 9,000-15,000 simply because you want it, unless you are worth it, that "you have to feed babies at home"...
There are ads on every corner of Phuket looking for workers of the described kind.
Posted by
Sue
on
July 25, 2014 16:16
One more wish! I would like to see the army checking on the water and waste treatment of every hotel, resort and buisness . Most of this goes into the sea.Only then will we see thewaters of Patong, Kata, and all others be clean again. I remember swimming in crystal clean waters of theses two beaches!
Posted by
Elizabeth
on
July 25, 2014 18:14
Native Phuketians born in Phuket may need some kind of help from Phuket Province; but for those born in other provinces in Thailand, they may have to go back home to find new jobs.
Anyway most of them did plenty money and did not save that easy profit in bank for the future but whom to blame?
Posted by
Whistle-Blower
on
July 25, 2014 18:46
The beaches are not there to generate income for people like Ampern Terthin and his minions.
They are public property for everyone to enjoy for FREE.
If you want to run a business, rent or buy a plot of land and get the necessary permits.
It is astonishing how many people on Phuket have the audacity to complain about lost revenue in illegal business.
They should thank their lucky stars they are not criminally prosecuted and sued for damages.
This type of sense of entitlement is a direct result of decades of corruption and "compromise" in Phuket.
Far too many authorities consider the regulations under their control to be just a selection of items they can sell licenses for to break those very rules they are supposed to enforce.
As much as I dislike the coup and it's implications on civil liberties, I take great pleasure in seeing decades of outright theft of public property being stopped and the Untouchables being given a reality check.
I've said it before and I say it again - the Junta cannot possibly have a better PR campaign than cleaning up all the ills of Thailand's most international destination - Phuket.
I hope the Army will up the pressure and lay down the law hard and unbiased. The higher up the food chain you are, the harder you will fall.
Make an example of the Influentials behind it all and let people see that crime and corruption does NOT pay.
When people start seeing the high and mighty go to jail, they will think twice about following in their footsteps.
Posted by
ThaiMike
on
July 25, 2014 19:10
The Patong Beach Umbrella Association's future may be to represent those who make the small umbrellas used to decorate cocktails or selling the Rihanna single.
Posted by
Manowar
on
July 25, 2014 19:30
"When people start seeing the high and mighty go to jail, they will think twice about following in their footsteps." Says ThaiMike.
Can anyone on this forum enlighten us of a single instance when the 'high and mighty' have gone to jail for corruption? I'd appreciate it if I were enlightened in this respect - but then again these are surprising times...
Posted by
Sam Wilko
on
July 25, 2014 19:50
I have never been against beach loungers or local people doing business at the beach by providing food and drink.
However, what we've seen in the last few years is wealthy hotels claiming large chunks of public beaches and even holding private weddings and functions where they charge large amounts per head.
They charge very high prices and promote an elite lifestyle in trying to attract only high rollers to their places. All well and good but not on a public beach.
The beach is one place that is totally egalitarian, free for everybody to enjoy, rich or poor. Hogging the public's beach for private business is the ultimate in selfishness.
Not everybody wants to spend thousands of baht at the beach. Many people go to the beach because you can spend a lot of hours relaxing without having to spend a fortune.
The places at Surin beach were originally built by the Or Bor Tor to give the people being kicked off the other side of the road a place to rent and continue their business.
They were never built for large Hotel chains to move in and start their HiSo bars. They would know that.
Posted by
Arun Muruga
on
July 25, 2014 20:10
SW, 12 months ago most considered today's changes impossible. Miracles just take a little longer.
Posted by
Manowar
on
July 25, 2014 20:22
AM, I searched and found some old pictures of Patong from 1980. It would appear that the current walkway and possibly most of beach road was created by bringing in earth fill to raise the height. I assume sometime after the retaining was constructed.
I could not see any construction over a single story in height, not a single sealed road and 6 people on the whole beach.
Later photos, which appear to be around 1986, show, what looks like a primitive walkway built in the main central part of the beach where a few small hotels or shacks existed. It would appear that all the beachfront business north from Bangla have been partially built on reclaimed beach and if anything beach road has been altered to be further east to make the beachfront businesses have additional land. Is that correct?
Posted by
Manowar
on
July 25, 2014 21:06
Spot on whistle blower non Phuketians should return to their home provinces be they north or south to get help regarding employment, accommodation ,benefits.........they have milked the island for years and even now they are demanding that Phuket and it's coffers provide for them ,well the writing is on the wall for them and their kind your days of milking the tourist cash cow is over so leave. Like a lot of non Phuketians did in their droves after the tsunami struck it was shocking to watch them scramble for bus ,planes ,cars and trucks off the island .
Posted by
Scunner
on
July 26, 2014 00:10
@Manowar
I looked into pics: yes, indeed, Patong beach still in 1987 looked like normal Thai countryside beachfront. And a look was of, defintely, Thailand, not like veeery cheap Mediterranian today, created according to design of architect-dropout.
Posted by
Sue
on
July 26, 2014 03:12
- Scunner & WB
I'm also a Non-Phuketian, lived and worked here over 10y. Does that mean I should leave too ?
If I'm not mistaken, Thailand is still one united country. When you start telling citizens they need to return to their birthplaces within their own country, it reeks very much of discrimination.
As a non-citizen I would accept being told to leave but a Thai being told they can't stay in another Thai province ?
What is wrong with you two ?
Posted by
ThaiMike
on
July 26, 2014 09:26
The mayor should explain that from now on the law will apply, which has nothing to do with temporary powerful persons such as a generals, and will not end when they release power. In many countries the ministries of defence are permanently involved in the protection of the beaches against predation by private businesses. For instance the coastlines of France by the gendarmes, by the carabinieri in Italy. Or must we believe from the mayor's stance that the current implementation of the law is just a show off only to justify the role of the army as a strong institution in the society so that after a coup corruption comes back as usual ?
Posted by
natural beach defender
on
July 26, 2014 09:33
Editor Comment:
Working ''in the best interests'' of her voters is a problem for the mayor of Patong and other mayors who run the beaches. That's why we recommend creating a Phuket Beach Authority, with the duty of preserving and maintaining the island's beaches, and with the Royal Thai Navy as enforcers. They will have to patrol every day to prevent the sunbeds returning as high season approaches.
ThaiMike, are you a beach vendor? If the answer is no then what are you concerned about, this is what the subject is about. If you are,you've have been earning money in an illegal way, should you be able to find legal work, stay, should you not, what are you going to do?
Posted by
phuket madness
on
July 26, 2014 11:25
I do have a picture of the beach road in Patong from 1970 with a picture taken from the same spot more recently. It's hard to grasp how much Patong has changed when you look at your old photos.
Posted by
Arun Muruga
on
July 26, 2014 13:12
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Why should Gen Prayuth be accountable to people who have been working illegally and with impunity for years, albeit with the tacit approval of local Gov't, which did nothing to stop them. How big of them to think that the current leader of the country should abandon all his current hard work, pop down to Phuket and justify his actions.
Vice Admiral Petchartat's comments are very succinct and valid; Mayor Chalermlak should be supporting him, not distancing herself from the actions carried out so far.
Posted by Mister Ree on July 25, 2014 11:43