PHUKET: One of Phuket's leading hoteliers made an impassioned plea today for Phuket to save its beaches - before it's too late.
The plea came from Wichit Na-Ranong who owns the Indigo Pearl at Nai Yang, south of Phuket International Airport, at today's Phuket Creative Tourism Forum, with about 300 people in the audience at Royal Phuket Marina.
''Phuket's beaches will be destroyed if we let them be destroyed,'' he said. ''Already commercial interests are taking over on the sands.
''The beaches are not for businesses, the beaches are not for restaurants, the beaches are not for parties.
''We must clear the beaches and try to keep them just the way nature intended, before it's too late. Keep them free of bad water, and of bad businesses.
''Why has Phuket never had a campaign against the damage to the environment on the beaches? If Phuket did have a campaign, I would be happy to support it until I die.''
Khun Wichit made the point that Phuket had developed its tourism industry rapidly, with good tourism numbers and good revenue, but with no balance with nature.
''We are feasting now but all we will leave for the next generation is an empty plate,'' he said. ''It is vital for Phuket's future that we preserve a good environment.
''But since tourism has come along at just the right time to replace the tin mines as Phuket's leading source of income, nobody really cares about the beaches.
''Nobody cares, from the Prime Minister down to the beach vendors. And the media doesn't do its job properly. They present only the promotional side.
''There is no saving the beaches, and no saving Phuket, if this process of takeover and short-term thinking continues.''
Khun Wichit is believed to be actively campaigning to reduce the number of businesses along Nai Yang beach.
Phuketwan reporters visited about 10 of Phuket's prime beaches several weeks ago and the level of business takeovers on public sand was surprising.
This was especially so at Surin and Laem Singh, once among Phuket's best beaches, where restaurants have been allowed to encroach on the sand and where jet-ski noise often ruins the once-relaxing atmosphere.
The plea came from Wichit Na-Ranong who owns the Indigo Pearl at Nai Yang, south of Phuket International Airport, at today's Phuket Creative Tourism Forum, with about 300 people in the audience at Royal Phuket Marina.
''Phuket's beaches will be destroyed if we let them be destroyed,'' he said. ''Already commercial interests are taking over on the sands.
''The beaches are not for businesses, the beaches are not for restaurants, the beaches are not for parties.
''We must clear the beaches and try to keep them just the way nature intended, before it's too late. Keep them free of bad water, and of bad businesses.
''Why has Phuket never had a campaign against the damage to the environment on the beaches? If Phuket did have a campaign, I would be happy to support it until I die.''
Khun Wichit made the point that Phuket had developed its tourism industry rapidly, with good tourism numbers and good revenue, but with no balance with nature.
''We are feasting now but all we will leave for the next generation is an empty plate,'' he said. ''It is vital for Phuket's future that we preserve a good environment.
''But since tourism has come along at just the right time to replace the tin mines as Phuket's leading source of income, nobody really cares about the beaches.
''Nobody cares, from the Prime Minister down to the beach vendors. And the media doesn't do its job properly. They present only the promotional side.
''There is no saving the beaches, and no saving Phuket, if this process of takeover and short-term thinking continues.''
Khun Wichit is believed to be actively campaigning to reduce the number of businesses along Nai Yang beach.
Phuketwan reporters visited about 10 of Phuket's prime beaches several weeks ago and the level of business takeovers on public sand was surprising.
This was especially so at Surin and Laem Singh, once among Phuket's best beaches, where restaurants have been allowed to encroach on the sand and where jet-ski noise often ruins the once-relaxing atmosphere.
Khun Wichit Na-Ranong - well done and don't give up... like you said the next generation IS going to have an empty plate. When people are allow to encroach and bury their garbage on the beach, it's a recipe for disaster.
Posted by Graham on July 28, 2011 15:32