PHUKET: Royal Thai Navy 3 is to play a more active role in cracking down on Phuket's ''mafia,'' especially where alleged encroachment has occurred at Sirinath National Park.
The role of the service in guarding Phuket, Ranong, Phang Nga, Krabi, Satun and Trang will be stepped up and focussed on illegal migrants, drugs and war weapons, attacks on public land, attacks on small islands off the Andaman coast and people destroying the environment at sea.
''Mafia'' sometimes act with the knowledge of local authorities, the Navy believes.
The upgrading of the Navy's enforcement role was revealed at a meeting on June 13 with Phuket administrators, Marine Office 5, the Forests Department, the Fisheries Department, Coastal Resources and the Phuket Marine Biological Centre.
Since then, Navy personnel have been sighted on Phuket's beaches enforcing the clearance order from the National Peace and Order Council, which has been running Thailand since the military takeover on May 22.
Beach loungers, umbrellas and commercial activities are set to disappear from all of Phuket's beaches over the next couple of days.
Phuketwan has always advocated the use of the Royal Thai Navy to better care for all of Phuket's beaches under a Phuket Beach Authority that would remove local councils from their confusing roles.
An annual public auction of all space being used for beach clubs and restaurants would generate funds to maintain and preserve the beaches.
The role of the service in guarding Phuket, Ranong, Phang Nga, Krabi, Satun and Trang will be stepped up and focussed on illegal migrants, drugs and war weapons, attacks on public land, attacks on small islands off the Andaman coast and people destroying the environment at sea.
''Mafia'' sometimes act with the knowledge of local authorities, the Navy believes.
The upgrading of the Navy's enforcement role was revealed at a meeting on June 13 with Phuket administrators, Marine Office 5, the Forests Department, the Fisheries Department, Coastal Resources and the Phuket Marine Biological Centre.
Since then, Navy personnel have been sighted on Phuket's beaches enforcing the clearance order from the National Peace and Order Council, which has been running Thailand since the military takeover on May 22.
Beach loungers, umbrellas and commercial activities are set to disappear from all of Phuket's beaches over the next couple of days.
Phuketwan has always advocated the use of the Royal Thai Navy to better care for all of Phuket's beaches under a Phuket Beach Authority that would remove local councils from their confusing roles.
An annual public auction of all space being used for beach clubs and restaurants would generate funds to maintain and preserve the beaches.
Why the quotes around the "m" word?
Everybody use this word about these people now.
Posted by Sherlock on July 3, 2014 11:20
Editor Comment:
There is no Mafia on Phuket. Everybody misuses the word, which is why it's in quotation marks.