Langham Place - Explain Illegal Floating Walkway

[PoorSucker]

I have been on this dock and would like to give my 50cents;

There is no living coral around the entire of Samui.

....snip

I will not tell you about my snorkelling reef.

I like to have to myself.

Well some others know about it to.

[crusty]

I wont mention the floating marina that is to be built around koh Sok this year then.

Where is Koh Sok ? I entered the name in my GPS and my boat has been going around in circles all day !

[Rooo]

I wont mention the floating marina that is to be built around koh Sok this year then.

Where is Koh Sok ? I entered the name in my GPS and my boat has been going around in circles all day !

http://www.khaosok.com/

[H2oDunc]

OOOPS Got me koh's mixed up. Koh Sok is where I go cave diving on the mainland. What I meant was koh Som the small island near choengmon is where they are putting in a floating marina

Teelak more Chang

[Tracer Round]

Gulfsailor (in bold)

There is no living coral around the entire of Samui.

This is completely untrue and tends to deep six the rest of your post; however, I do agree that the area we are talking about is indeed a "dead" coral reef. Nevertheless, if you had taken the time to wade out, you would find that there are living corals taking hold out there. Not only that, but there are fish, various crabs and other sea life in and around the walkway in question.

I even wondered why the need of protecting something dead and so dangerously sharp (it injures many swimmers).

...the Northern half of Lamai is very shallow and littered with little remains of dead coral, apart from the nice view this stretch of water is truly useless. You cannot swim, sail or windsurf in it.

I won't speculate how a place where you cannot swim can injure swimmers....

As for being "truly useless," I am happy to hear you say that. That sort of talk will keep the riffraff away. The fact is that the area is far, far more interesting that the one-trick pony surf beaches (sand, waves, sand waves...do loop). There are interesting rock formations, shells, interesting pieces of coral and so on. Yes, you can't swim around that area, but there is a fascinating array of different sights...oh, and the sunset can be seen from there.

Wooden and polyester boats will soon be a thing of the past fortunately.

I'm sure the fishermen of SE Asia will be interested to hear that their wooden boats will soon be a thing of the past.

(Polyester boats? Groovy, man!)

I, as a small-boat-sailor would hope to see more of such piers along the coast...

I am guessing that you do not live anywhere near this area.

Here are a couple of photos from the "dead" reef:

[Gulfsailor]

Mr Tracer,

I applaud your efforts to protect the environment and I would agree with your comments when this dock was situated in an unspoiled place like the National Marine Park or less spoiled place like Koh Nang Yuan. Also Koh Som used to be a nice unspoiled island, but no more I am afraid. Kao Sok (lake) is in my opinion the most beatiful place in the South of Thailand, but you can discuss how natural this is, but I wouldn't like to see floating dock in there.

Samui on the other hand is a developed place, part of the reason while we live there and not on some deserted island with no infrastructure. The impact of a road being cut through the jungle, a hotel situated near the shoreline, mountains encroached for some villas all outweigh a polyethylene dock floating in sea. And how about the long-planned marina on Samui (although that would prevent boats from throwing their anchor on the (dead) reefs), forget about the airport.... No Samui is not nature like it once was. It is a hub which provides accommodation for the masses in a nice tropical way (and I like it!), from where you can venture out to nearby truly beautiful places. My efforts to preservation are aimed at those unspoiled areas. Let Samui just offer its comforts to its users and when someone really steps over the line there should be questions. But for me a floating dock doesn't cross that line.

I won't go futher into the subject of boatbuilding materials, but would like to say that wooden boats are already getting rare in Europe, due to the ban on certain paints and antifoulings, thus making maintenance more expensive and there is likely to be a hefty tax levied on all polyester (very very bad for the environment!) products in a few years time. So yes, maybe it will take another 30 or even 50 years, but there will be a time that even the Thai lontailboats will not be made from wood anymore. Wouldn't that save some trees. Last year when oilprices were really expensive we even saw some Thai fishermen inquiring into small polyethylene sailboats...

[limbos]

Mr Tracer,

I applaud your efforts to protect the environment and I would agree with your comments when this dock was situated in an unspoiled place like the National Marine Park or less spoiled place like Koh Nang Yuan. Also Koh Som used to be a nice unspoiled island, but no more I am afraid. Kao Sok (lake) is in my opinion the most beatiful place in the South of Thailand, but you can discuss how natural this is, but I wouldn't like to see floating dock in there.

Samui on the other hand is a developed place, part of the reason while we live there and not on some deserted island with no infrastructure. The impact of a road being cut through the jungle, a hotel situated near the shoreline, mountains encroached for some villas all outweigh a polyethylene dock floating in sea. And how about the long-planned marina on Samui (although that would prevent boats from throwing their anchor on the (dead) reefs), forget about the airport.... No Samui is not nature like it once was. It is a hub which provides accommodation for the masses in a nice tropical way (and I like it!), from where you can venture out to nearby truly beautiful places. My efforts to preservation are aimed at those unspoiled areas. Let Samui just offer its comforts to its users and when someone really steps over the line there should be questions. But for me a floating dock doesn't cross that line.

I won't go futher into the subject of boatbuilding materials, but would like to say that wooden boats are already getting rare in Europe, due to the ban on certain paints and antifoulings, thus making maintenance more expensive and there is likely to be a hefty tax levied on all polyester (very very bad for the environment!) products in a few years time. So yes, maybe it will take another 30 or even 50 years, but there will be a time that even the Thai lontailboats will not be made from wood anymore. Wouldn't that save some trees. Last year when oilprices were really expensive we even saw some Thai fishermen inquiring into small polyethylene sailboats...

The coral on Chaweng Reef, starting at Al's resort and going all the way up North is very much alive and kicking.

Edited February 24, 2010 by limbos

[crusty]

Mr Tracer,

I applaud your efforts to protect the environment and I would agree with your comments when this dock was situated in an unspoiled place like the National Marine Park or less spoiled place like Koh Nang Yuan. Also Koh Som used to be a nice unspoiled island, but no more I am afraid. Kao Sok (lake) is in my opinion the most beatiful place in the South of Thailand, but you can discuss how natural this is, but I wouldn't like to see floating dock in there.

Samui on the other hand is a developed place, part of the reason while we live there and not on some deserted island with no infrastructure. The impact of a road being cut through the jungle, a hotel situated near the shoreline, mountains encroached for some villas all outweigh a polyethylene dock floating in sea. And how about the long-planned marina on Samui (although that would prevent boats from throwing their anchor on the (dead) reefs), forget about the airport.... No Samui is not nature like it once was. It is a hub which provides accommodation for the masses in a nice tropical way (and I like it!), from where you can venture out to nearby truly beautiful places. My efforts to preservation are aimed at those unspoiled areas. Let Samui just offer its comforts to its users and when someone really steps over the line there should be questions. But for me a floating dock doesn't cross that line.

I won't go futher into the subject of boatbuilding materials, but would like to say that wooden boats are already getting rare in Europe, due to the ban on certain paints and antifoulings, thus making maintenance more expensive and there is likely to be a hefty tax levied on all polyester (very very bad for the environment!) products in a few years time. So yes, maybe it will take another 30 or even 50 years, but there will be a time that even the Thai lontailboats will not be made from wood anymore. Wouldn't that save some trees. Last year when oilprices were really expensive we even saw some Thai fishermen inquiring into small polyethylene sailboats...

"Throwing their anchors on dead reefs" ? Wow that really shows good seamanship ! At least on Koh Ma and Koh Tao, the locals have laid moorings so as to prevent dragging anchors spoiling the reef.

[H2oDunc]

I applaud your efforts to protect the environment and I would agree with your comments when this dock was situated in an unspoiled place like the National Marine Park or less spoiled place like Koh Nang Yuan. Also Koh Som used to be a nice unspoiled island, but no more I am afraid. Kao Sok (lake) is in my opinion the most beatiful place in the South of Thailand, but you can discuss how natural this is, but I wouldn't like to see floating dock in there

You mean like this ?

The place is very beautiful still though and man made. Some amazing diving there

[Tracer Round]

Gulfsailor:

Let Samui just offer its comforts to its users and when someone really steps over the line there should be questions. But for me a floating dock doesn't cross that line.

I'm sorry, you don't seem to understand. According to law, you are not allowed to build within 10 meters of the beach. Unless you think this promenade is some natural phenomenon that sprang up by itself, IT IS WAS ILLEGALLY PUT THERE.

By your logic, once something man-made is placed in an "unspoiled" environment, you stop caring about it.

So if some company wants to illegally construct a walkway on Brighton Beach that's fine since it's already developed, right? fuc_k the law, that's for chumps (or for unspoiled areas). It's not so bad, right? The plastic is nice too....

You are clearly missing part of the point. Why do you think it is illegal for people to build on the beach? Do I have to spell it out for you?

The Langham pontoon walkway is ILLEGAL. I for one think that we ought to enforce the laws that are in place to protect what of the natural environment we still have to enjoy.

[Lite Beer]

Post deleted because of defamation concerns.

Thanks.

[maccaroni man]

I give this thing a year or two, then the plastic will become brittle. Or maybe a storm will take care of it. The lifecycle of things at the beach or in the sea is very short in Thailand.

seems to me the noise from the beach republic was more of a problem to the locals then the sea walk way. is the music still going?

[crusty]

Gulfsailor:

Let Samui just offer its comforts to its users and when someone really steps over the line there should be questions. But for me a floating dock doesn't cross that line.

I'm sorry, you don't seem to understand. According to law, you are not allowed to build within 10 meters of the beach. Unless you think this promenade is some natural phenomenon that sprang up by itself, IT IS WAS ILLEGALLY PUT THERE.

By your logic, once something man-made is placed in an "unspoiled" environment, you stop caring about it.

So if some company wants to illegally construct a walkway on Brighton Beach that's fine since it's already developed, right? fuc_k the law, that's for chumps (or for unspoiled areas). It's not so bad, right? The plastic is nice too....

You are clearly missing part of the point. Why do you think it is illegal for people to build on the beach? Do I have to spell it out for you?

The Langham pontoon walkway is ILLEGAL. I for one think that we ought to enforce the laws that are in place to protect what of the natural environment we still have to enjoy.

Exactly and when a neighbour confronted the owner, his reaction was to spread his arms and declare "this is all mine". Another typical example of Bangkokians running roughshod over the locals. If anything, the fishing boat harbour next door was done by and for the local fishermen as in Ban Thong Krut, Ban Tai (Koh Phangan and Plai Laem. Their needs were ignored by the relevant authorities. Our sympathies should be with the locals first !

[Tracer Round]

My sources say 10 million baht for the walkway, and given that, you can be sure that the plans were studied well in advance by whomever is concerned with policing this sort of (illegal) construction, and it's a fair bet that his palm was properly greased long ago.

I think that besides the obvious ugliness of the thing, the galling part is the flagreant way the law has been flouted. This isn't some spitting-on-the-sidewalk offense, this is almost a quarter of a kilometer of rubbish jutting out into the bay.

The other thing that is patently obvious is that it doesn't belong there...walk out to the end and you find an enclosed "pool" with railing ladders intended to offer a place to swim. I think the water this evening is about knee deep out there. It would be ideal for swimming if you were about a foot tall.

I must say that I have a sense for the first time in these sorts of situations of actually having hope of doing something about this. It's a white elephant that the owner probably wishes wasn't there but can do nothing about. But because it is so visible and visibly out of place, I wonder if the relevant authorities might just be persuaded to take the matter of its removal seriously. Maybe not, but if not, they have a lot of smoke and mirrors to put out in defense of its continued existence where it is.

[itishothere]

I've not seen this thing, and so cannot really comment on how it looks or if it is un-environmentally friendly or not.

There is a lot in Samui and Thailand that is wrong/illegal/immoral - at least to a Westerners point of view. (There is also an awful lot that is right let me add, hence me being here!) I suspect trying to pursue any legal route will be get bogged down/lost in translation/not seen by the 'right' person etc, and like other posters have pointed out, there are many other, perhaps more meaningful issues, that could be addessed first.

Maybe a way to tackle this it to embarrass Langham in some way? Or their guests? Get them to see that what they have built is wrong? 9m/10m baht isn't a lot to them; unhappy guests asking awkward questions is. As to how to do this, well ..... erm there I am stumped.

Just a thought.

[Tracer Round]

itishothere

there are many other, perhaps more meaningful issues, that could be addessed first.

Please name some.

Given that Samui's raison d'être is for tourists to enjoy the scenery and have an enjoyable vacation, it might be meaningful for them to not have a huge plastic ramp spoiling the view in Lamai.

There is a lot in Samui and Thailand that is wrong/illegal/immoral - at least to a Westerners point of view.

You seem to be implying that the laws in Thailand (or some of them) would not be upheld in the West, but I believe you are wrong. The problem isn't that the laws are "wrong," it is that they aren't enforced.

[itishothere]

How about the enforcement of the law regarding the wearing of cycle helmets? Or not driving the wrong way down a one-way system? Or the dumping of sewage? Etc .....

And I was implying - if anything - that the laws would be upheld more rigorously in the west, in agreement with you.

Anyway, semantics will get us nowhere.

It was intended as a helpful suggestion.

[Tracer Round]

I am still waiting for the reply from Langham. I don't know if anyone there knows about this site. If anyone is passing by, give them the good word.

[versialcontro]

Wow, some people really like to complain don't they? They think because they have been here a few years they have rights here. This is not your country you are a guest here... the sooner you remember it, the better. these things are out of your control pal.

I'm sure who ever received the letter at langham is passing it around the office for everyone to chuckle at. " ha ha the farang complain about our walkway, who does he think he is? ha ha... "

One of my friends is middle management at langham - they paid millions for that walkway, they also paid the government kindly to have it there. I'm sure they're trembling in their boots right now...

I'd like to personally know who tracer round thinks he is? Going over past posts I never found him complaining about the jetty that the fisherman tried to make there last year before it washed away.

i look forward to more posts from tracer round...

[screamingeagle]

Wow, some people really like to complain don't they? They think because they have been here a few years they have rights here. This is not your country you are a guest here... the sooner you remember it, the better. these things are out of your control pal.

I'm sure who ever received the letter at langham is passing it around the office for everyone to chuckle at. " ha ha the farang complain about our walkway, who does he think he is? ha ha... "

- they paid millions for that walkway, they also paid the government kindly to have it there. I'm sure they're trembling in their boots right now...

I'd like to personally know who tracer round thinks he is? Going over past posts I never found him complaining about the jetty that the fisherman tried to make there last year before it washed away.

i look forward to more posts from tracer round...

"One of my friends is middle management at langham". So not exactly an unbiased post!!! ThaiVisa is a forum for discussion on all things on Samui. Get used to it.

[versialcontro]

I am in no way biased in favour of langham. they treat my friend who works there very badly and completely take the p*ss making him work stupid hours. i won't say any more but i am in no way biased towards them.

[Tracer Round]

versialcontro, I hope that someone illegally constructs a billboard or structure where you live that damages your view. Since you are Thai (you are, of course), you will have the right to complain while the foreigner living there will not (pesky guests!). In Thailand, just like in every other country in the world, only those who hold a passport from their native country can complain about their quality of life. We in the US, for example, don't allow anyone holding a green card to complain about anything. I mean, what right do they think they have to complain? Civil rights are only for those born in the country in which they reside. Just because you are living in a country legally for years does not give you the right to complain about your "guest country."

So I guess you are right, versialcontro.

I have been so out of line.

[Lite Beer]

Inflammatory posts deleted.

[Boater]

to be honest, after seeing this video, the Floating walkway looks an asset to Lamai, something that stands out and people will visit....

[Samui Coconut]

to be honest, after seeing this video, the Floating walkway looks an asset to Lamai, something that stands out and people will visit....

Is it free or does one have to pay for it?

[screamingeagle]

to be honest, after seeing this video, the Floating walkway looks an asset to Lamai, something that stands out and people will visit....

Is it free or does one have to pay for it?

Correct me if I'm wrong but I was under the impression that all beaches in Thailand are technically owned by the King. Which means no one (hotel, restaurant, bar etc.) can refuse you entry onto a beach. If that is the case then the walkway is for everyone as it is on the public beach

[LamaiCat]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I was under the impression that all beaches in Thailand are technically owned by the King. Which means no one (hotel, restaurant, bar etc.) can refuse you entry onto a beach. If that is the case then the walkway is for everyone as it is on the public beach

If the beaches are owned by the King nobody must build on them, or next winter every beach bar in Lamai will have a "floating" drink stall....

Remind me on some european countries were the beach are free but they are completely occupied (with temp licence) with bench etc, you can only walk at the end of the sand.....

[Gatorade]

to be honest, after seeing this video, the Floating walkway looks an asset to Lamai, something that stands out and people will visit....

Is it free or does one have to pay for it?

Correct me if I'm wrong but I was under the impression that all beaches in Thailand are technically owned by the King. Which means no one (hotel, restaurant, bar etc.) can refuse you entry onto a beach. If that is the case then the walkway is for everyone as it is on the public beach

Come on then SC, give it a go and report back. Might also be worth finding out if you can fish from it!

[PoorSucker]

Come on then SC, give it a go and report back. Might also be worth finding out if you can fish from it!

Lets bring some beer and the fishing gear and go there.

[goldfinger]

Come on then SC, give it a go and report back. Might also be worth finding out if you can fish from it!

Lets bring some beer and the fishing gear and go there.

and dont forget the grill (and som tam...)