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PHUKET: Restaurants are being pulled down today at Laem Sing, perhaps one of Phuket's finest beaches, as the coup command's clearances continue.
The Army will descend on Monday, locals say, to make sure the demolition is complete.
The beach lies in a small arc between Surin and Kamala, where the shorefront is already showing signs of an unexpected return to nature.
Trash fires are burning. There's a constant hammering.
Laem Sing was once probably Phuket's most perfect beach.
But the crush of tourists generated a greed rush that saw restaurants overwhelm the shorefront. Jet-skis arrived, with the high season crush.
Yesterday we dined at the Laem Sing Viewpoint restaurant as workmen pulled other parts of the diner down in advance of the military sweep tomorrow.
A lunch of sea bass and somtam came out of a tiny, cramped kitchen on the rocky headland.
How did a restaurant come to be set up, not just on the sand but carved from the rocks? Who was paid to allow construction to happen?
Nobody, the proprietress told us. It was simply the proposition that the beaches are for everyone that led her to build a business there.
It was no easy task. She made the decision six years ago to set up a business at the beach, and simply went ahead.
She had to organise workers to carve three dozen steps in the rock, then to level the area to put in a platform to support her restaurant.
The headland expansion has continued ever since, with a whole new level being readied for next season.
The rationale is that the beaches are for everyone.
Some people interpret this as meaning that anyone can use the shorefront to make money.
Others believe the sands should be free of commerce and for everyone to enjoy.
As we climbed back up the stairs to the top, where an illegal taxi stand is also being demolished, we gained a sense that the battle of the two philosophies is a long way from being settled.
''See you next time,'' a restaurant demolition worker smiled.
More action is expected next week along Phuket's west coast at Patong, Bang Tao and Layan.
The Army will descend on Monday, locals say, to make sure the demolition is complete.
The beach lies in a small arc between Surin and Kamala, where the shorefront is already showing signs of an unexpected return to nature.
Trash fires are burning. There's a constant hammering.
Laem Sing was once probably Phuket's most perfect beach.
But the crush of tourists generated a greed rush that saw restaurants overwhelm the shorefront. Jet-skis arrived, with the high season crush.
Yesterday we dined at the Laem Sing Viewpoint restaurant as workmen pulled other parts of the diner down in advance of the military sweep tomorrow.
A lunch of sea bass and somtam came out of a tiny, cramped kitchen on the rocky headland.
How did a restaurant come to be set up, not just on the sand but carved from the rocks? Who was paid to allow construction to happen?
Nobody, the proprietress told us. It was simply the proposition that the beaches are for everyone that led her to build a business there.
It was no easy task. She made the decision six years ago to set up a business at the beach, and simply went ahead.
She had to organise workers to carve three dozen steps in the rock, then to level the area to put in a platform to support her restaurant.
The headland expansion has continued ever since, with a whole new level being readied for next season.
The rationale is that the beaches are for everyone.
Some people interpret this as meaning that anyone can use the shorefront to make money.
Others believe the sands should be free of commerce and for everyone to enjoy.
As we climbed back up the stairs to the top, where an illegal taxi stand is also being demolished, we gained a sense that the battle of the two philosophies is a long way from being settled.
''See you next time,'' a restaurant demolition worker smiled.
More action is expected next week along Phuket's west coast at Patong, Bang Tao and Layan.
Pretty much hits the nail on the head in showing the philosophy of some who believe the beaches are for everyone to use. 10 years ago there were few loungers on Laem singh. Last time I went, it was difficult to walk from one end of the beach to another due to the thousands of loungers. It was awful. I am happy to hear it is going back to nature.
Posted by Mr Man on June 29, 2014 08:51