Public Outcry Freezes Controversial Phuket Hotel Project

[snoop1130]

Photo courtesy of The Phuket News

 

In a dramatic turn of events, the Nebu Hotel project in Cherng Talay, Phuket, has been put on hold following mounting pressure from locals worried about its environmental and community impact. The proposed seven-story hotel, planned on a narrow 1,200-square-meter plot, was set in a Yellow Zone, intended for low-density housing, sparking debates over zoning violations and transparency.

 

During a tense site visit, Phuket MP Thitikan Thitipruethikul and members of the House Committee on Land, Natural Resources, and Environment, voiced concerns over the legality of allowing a high-rise in a restricted area. “Yellow Zones should not host high-density projects. This violates zoning laws and could set a dangerous precedent for Phuket,” warned Thitikan.

 

Residents fear the development will worsen traffic, increase flood risks, and lead to excessive noise, particularly from a planned rooftop bar. Concerns also arose over inadequate parking—20 spaces for 89 rooms could lead to traffic nightmares in the already narrow streets.

 

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) claimed 70% public approval, but locals strongly disagreed, presenting their survey showing 100% opposition. “We just want a proper impact assessment,” a resident insisted.

 

 

Poonsak Chanchampi, chairman of the House Committee, criticized the zoning inconsistencies and the lack of public hearings in the approval process. “In Bangkok, this wouldn't even be considered due to land size restrictions. Phuket needs consistent rules,” Poonsak argued, suggesting central government oversight to reduce conflicts of interest.

 

In response, Aphichat Deekongsiang of Cherng Talay's OrBorTor agreed to review the EIA and assured no construction permit would be issued until issues are resolved.

 

As public scrutiny grows, a fourth community meeting is planned for March 13, offering locals another chance to express concerns. The House Committee has urgently called for a re-evaluation of the EIA process and a temporary halt on construction, hoping for more transparent urban planning in Phuket’s future, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-02-26

 

 

[LivingNThailand]

Good!  I hope it sticks and they are forced to clean up the mess.  The local people don't deserve this.

[hotchilli]

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

In a dramatic turn of events, the Nebu Hotel project in Cherng Talay, Phuket, has been put on hold following mounting pressure from locals worried about its environmental and community impact. The proposed seven-story hotel, planned on a narrow 1,200-square-meter plot, was set in a Yellow Zone, intended for low-density housing, sparking debates over zoning violations and transparency.

A developer trying to push their luck

[Heminda]

And what about the 600 rooms Sheraton planned in Nai Harn?

[LivingNThailand]

14 hours ago, Heminda said:

And what about the 600 rooms Sheraton planned in Nai Harn?

WHAT!!???   The Traffic is gridlock already in Rawai!   I don't even go there anymore it's so crowded now.   How can that be!!??

[stevenl]

16 hours ago, Heminda said:

And what about the 600 rooms Sheraton planned in Nai Harn?

Is that being built in a yellow zone on a 1200 square meter plot?

[Heminda]

4 hours ago, stevenl said:

Is that being built in a yellow zone on a 1200 square meter plot?

I don't know exactly where

https://www.ttrweekly.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/3-18.jpg

Nestled within a 4.3-hectare beach front site, just steps from the soft golden sands and clear turquoise seas in a secluded corner of Phuket, Sheraton Nai Harn Beach is set to become a haven for couples, families, and meeting planners alike. The majority of the resort’s 600 rooms, suites and villas is expected to offer uninterrupted views of the Andaman Sea, while the warm, shallow waters set the stage for exhilarating activities, with a dedicated beach sports centre for kayaking, paddle-boarding and more.

Not to forget also, the ongoing construction of the 300+ rooms of the Chatrium behind the Sea Gipsy Village. I wonder what kind of beach they can find there

[stevenl]

3 hours ago, Heminda said:

I don't know exactly where

https://www.ttrweekly.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/3-18.jpg

Nestled within a 4.3-hectare beach front site, just steps from the soft golden sands and clear turquoise seas in a secluded corner of Phuket, Sheraton Nai Harn Beach is set to become a haven for couples, families, and meeting planners alike. The majority of the resort’s 600 rooms, suites and villas is expected to offer uninterrupted views of the Andaman Sea, while the warm, shallow waters set the stage for exhilarating activities, with a dedicated beach sports centre for kayaking, paddle-boarding and more.

Not to forget also, the ongoing construction of the 300+ rooms of the Chatrium behind the Sea Gipsy Village. I wonder what kind of beach they can find there

I don't like that development at all. But aby comparison to the one mentioned in the OP seems to be far fetched.

[watchcat]

21 hours ago, LivingNThailand said:

WHAT!!???   The Traffic is gridlock already in Rawai!   I don't even go there anymore it's so crowded now.   How can that be!!??

 

Overtourism aka greed

[ChipButty]

22 hours ago, LivingNThailand said:

WHAT!!???   The Traffic is gridlock already in Rawai!   I don't even go there anymore it's so crowded now.   How can that be!!??

They cant even finish the work they started around the lake, they are saying the builder has run our of money, 

[ChipButty]

On 2/28/2025 at 5:49 PM, Heminda said:

And what about the 600 rooms Sheraton planned in Nai Harn?

If they build that on the end of the beach like the image you posted shows, thats it Nai Harn is <deleted> ed, more to the point who's land is it? I would have thought that is government land? 

[ChipButty]

22 hours ago, LivingNThailand said:

WHAT!!???   The Traffic is gridlock already in Rawai!   I don't even go there anymore it's so crowded now.   How can that be!!??

When we were driving around there the other morning, my wife commented there will be no trees left soon, worries me when I hear the sound of the chainsaw's, 

[grumpyoldman]

June 1994 was my first time to Nai Harn, the lagoon was not enclosed, natural flow made for an excellent sandbar by the rocks, surfed there by myself.

 

Flash forward to 2024, I was there last year, place is overrun with Russians, roads completely congested, although I love volleyball there were no less than six courts all set up, total zoo.

 

Only reason for me to ever go back to Phuket is to see good friends, otherwise it's on to different parts of Thailand for me.

[zzzzz]

2 hours ago, grumpyoldman said:

June 1994 was my first time to Nai Harn, the lagoon was not enclosed, natural flow made for an excellent sandbar by the rocks, surfed there by myself.

 

Flash forward to 2024, I was there last year, place is overrun with Russians, roads completely congested, although I love volleyball there were no less than six courts all set up, total zoo.

 

Only reason for me to ever go back to Phuket is to see good friends, otherwise it's on to different parts of Thailand for me.

1986

[Heminda]

More info about Nai Harn, but still don't know the location

https://www.traveldailymedia.com/sheraton-hotels-resorts-to-debut-in-phuket-via-sheraton-nai-harn-beach/?utm_campaign=website&utm_medium=Sendgrid&utm_source=TD

[ChipButty]

28 minutes ago, Heminda said:

More info about Nai Harn, but still don't know the location

https://www.traveldailymedia.com/sheraton-hotels-resorts-to-debut-in-phuket-via-sheraton-nai-harn-beach/?utm_campaign=website&utm_medium=Sendgrid&utm_source=TD

Where ever they decide to build it, it will cause complete chaos down Sai Yuan road, with all the construction wagons and cement trucks, thats before it's finished, 

[LivingNThailand]

34 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

Where ever they decide to build it, it will cause complete chaos down Sai Yuan road, with all the construction wagons and cement trucks, thats before it's finished, 

I have friends that stay every year at  Baan Krating at the small beach past the Nai Harn Hotel.  Very peaceful and quiet and a nice walk to Nai Harn Beach.  This year (December 2024) they told us that they are building a huge, I think they said Marriott, hotel in between the Nai Harn and Baan Krating.  Construction already started.  They are keeping it quiet and unless you go past the Nai Harn you can't see it.  But I can't imagine that no one hasn't noticed the construction vehicles going down that road, it's so small.   Personally I don't go to Nai Harn until after Songkran and the rainy season starts.  TOO MANY people.   Anyway, they figure they have one more year at Baan Krating and they have to find some where else to stay.

I just read the press release mentioned in one of the above posts.  It says.

Likewise, the heritage-rich streets of Phuket Town can be reached in just over 30 minutes, and Phuket International Airport is an hour’s drive away.

 

hahaha.  30 minutes to Chalong Circle and 2-2.5 hours to the airport during high season.

 

It is very very sad what they are doing to Rawai.  It used to be a fun place to go to, now   ugh.

[ChipButty]

2 hours ago, LivingNThailand said:

I have friends that stay every year at  Baan Krating at the small beach past the Nai Harn Hotel.  Very peaceful and quiet and a nice walk to Nai Harn Beach.  This year (December 2024) they told us that they are building a huge, I think they said Marriott, hotel in between the Nai Harn and Baan Krating.  Construction already started.  They are keeping it quiet and unless you go past the Nai Harn you can't see it.  But I can't imagine that no one hasn't noticed the construction vehicles going down that road, it's so small.   Personally I don't go to Nai Harn until after Songkran and the rainy season starts.  TOO MANY people.   Anyway, they figure they have one more year at Baan Krating and they have to find some where else to stay.

I just read the press release mentioned in one of the above posts.  It says.

Likewise, the heritage-rich streets of Phuket Town can be reached in just over 30 minutes, and Phuket International Airport is an hour’s drive away.

 

hahaha.  30 minutes to Chalong Circle and 2-2.5 hours to the airport during high season.

 

It is very very sad what they are doing to Rawai.  It used to be a fun place to go to, now   ugh.

I know the resort you mean, I'm not sure about a construction site I have not noticed an increase in concrete wagons going by, The Nai Harn hotel will not be happy having to drive through there, All I can see is the mess around the lake the builders have left, the job has ground to a halt, it's says they ran out of money. Lots of people I've spoken to are not happy, Thai's included, as you know lots of Thai people like Nai Harn beach 

[Heminda]

5 hours ago, LivingNThailand said:

Likewise, the heritage-rich streets of Phuket Town can be reached in just over 30 minutes, and Phuket International Airport is an hour’s drive away.

 

hahaha.  30 minutes to Chalong Circle and 2-2.5 hours to the airport during high season.

Yeah looks like they have not noticed we are in 2025, I guess they are still thinking we are in 2010 to get in 30 minutes to Phuket Town and your 2-2.5 hours to the airport are no longer only in high season.

From what I noticed, concerning the traffic, there is no more high/low season, terrible during 12 months per year.

[stevenl]

16 hours ago, ChipButty said:

I know the resort you mean, I'm not sure about a construction site I have not noticed an increase in concrete wagons going by, The Nai Harn hotel will not be happy having to drive through there, All I can see is the mess around the lake the builders have left, the job has ground to a halt, it's says they ran out of money. Lots of people I've spoken to are not happy, Thai's included, as you know lots of Thai people like Nai Harn beach 

That project was stupid to start with. They should have just improved the walkway around the lake.

[ChipButty]

1 hour ago, stevenl said:

That project was stupid to start with. They should have just improved the walkway around the lake.

To late now, 

[LivingNThailand]

18 hours ago, ChipButty said:

know the resort you mean, I'm not sure about a construction site I have not noticed an increase in concrete wagons going by, The Nai Harn hotel will not be happy having to drive through there

I Lined my friend and he said:   

we were told the construction we saw near baan krating was still a couple of years from completion, not sure about the number of units. They are supposed to widen and improve the road. The place will be crazy 🤪,  with one road.

 

So maybe they have only put some backhoes in and clearing the land right now.  His memory isn't the best but I'm sure he said last December it was going to be a Sheraton or Marriott.

 

18 hours ago, ChipButty said:

All I can see is the mess around the lake the builders have left, the job has ground to a halt, it's says they ran out of money. Lots of people I've spoken to are not happy, Thai's included, as you know lots of Thai people like Nai Harn beach 

That's a real shame.  A lot of people liked to walk around the Lake.  How can they run out of money?   How could they start the project without enough money budgeted.   I know, stupid question.   But isn't Phuket supposed to be a world class destination?  

 

 

[ChipButty]

23 minutes ago, LivingNThailand said:

I Lined my friend and he said:   

we were told the construction we saw near baan krating was still a couple of years from completion, not sure about the number of units. They are supposed to widen and improve the road. The place will be crazy 🤪,  with one road.

 

So maybe they have only put some backhoes in and clearing the land right now.  His memory isn't the best but I'm sure he said last December it was going to be a Sheraton or Marriott.

 

That's a real shame.  A lot of people liked to walk around the Lake.  How can they run out of money?   How could they start the project without enough money budgeted.   I know, stupid question.   But isn't Phuket supposed to be a world class destination?  

 

 

People have to walk in the road, The construction job was to be 66 million, from what I can see so far not even 10 million, maybe I'll take some photo's,  

[grumpyoldman]

On 3/1/2025 at 10:17 PM, zzzzz said:

1986

great shot !

[stevenl]

On 3/2/2025 at 6:41 AM, ChipButty said:

They cant even finish the work they started around the lake, they are saying the builder has run our of money, 

Construction has resumed.

[ChipButty]

On 3/11/2025 at 9:00 AM, stevenl said:

Construction has resumed.

I saw it this morning, 

[watchcat]

On 2/26/2025 at 11:42 AM, snoop1130 said:

In a dramatic turn of events, the Nebu Hotel project in Cherng Talay, Phuket, has been put on hold following mounting pressure from locals

 

It looks like a carport hardly a "hotel projrct"

[stevenl]

On 3/2/2025 at 6:51 AM, ChipButty said:

If they build that on the end of the beach like the image you posted shows, thats it Nai Harn is <deleted> ed, more to the point who's land is it? I would have thought that is government land? 

Big area cleared from The Nai Harn till the lake.

[stevenl]

On 3/12/2025 at 9:09 AM, ChipButty said:

I saw it this morning, 

I'm there often early morning, so too early for workers to have started. But i get the impression construction has halted again.