Meet Me Halfway, Says Phuket Governor On Paris Hilton Beach Party

[webfact]

'Meet me halfway' says Phuket Governor on Paris Hilton beach party

Phuket Gazette

Cherng Talay chief Ma-ann Samram (left) is still concerned about the impact Sydictive Element’s New Year’s Eve party will have, despite Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut’s promise it won’t get the go-ahead without an agreement from all involved. Photo: Orawin Narabal

PHUKET: -- The Phuket Governor today called on Sydictive Element, organizers of the monster New Year party touted to be held on Surin Beach, to scale down the party so it can be approved.

“The best way is for the organizers and locals to meet halfway. If the two sides can come to a compromise, then I have nothing against the party,” Governor Maitri Inthusut told the Phuket Gazette today.

“The party organizer should keep in mind that no matter what they are going to do, it has to be acceptable to the local people, the local government and the private organizations,” Governor Maitri said.

The party, announced by global celebrity Paris Hilton in Bangkok and endorsed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), was launched on the premise that it would attract about 50,000 partygoers.

However, fearing that beach vendors would lose business and residents would be disturbed by noise and crowds, Governor Maitri said that he would like to see the event downsized.

Gov Maitri expressed his concerns after Surin Beach hoteliers explained that just the announcement of the party alone had cost them 8 million baht in booking cancellations.

“Scaling down the party could provide an opportunity for beach vendors to work as usual and perhaps earn more. Furthermore, it will cause a lot less disturbance to residents,” Governor Maitri said today.

“Later, they will also have to talk with the Cherng Talay OrBorTor [Tambon Administration Organization] president before I can call everyone in and make a decision,” he explained.

Ma-ann Samran, president of the Cherng Talay OrBorTor, has repeatedly told the Gazette of his concerns about the impact of such a large party on the environment, as well as local residents and businesses.

“If the beach vendors cannot conduct their business during the party, then Sydictive has to compensate them. That would be a fair deal,” said Mr Ma-ann.

The Governor today also noted that representatives from Sydictive Element were to meet Marine Department officers today to explain how they intended to deal with a raft of issues, ranging from the effects on beach vendors, restaurant owners and local residents to how they will manage the area in terms of safety and cleanliness.

Phuket Marine Office chief Phuripat Theerakulpisut told the Gazette this afternoon that those negotiations were successful.

“I have given my permission for the party to go ahead. They [the party organizers] presented their plan to deal with the problems of having such a large party, and I was satisfied with their arrangements,” he said in a brief conversation by telephone.

Director of the Phuket-TAT Office Chanchai Duangjit confirmed that he, too, was willing to support Sydictive’s event on condition that they resolve concerns held by the vendors and local residents.

“If they can convince us that the plans to prevent problems that might arise before, during and after the party will work, and if those plans [appear to us to be] reasonable and practical, then I am more than happy to support them,” said Mr Chanchai.

Governor Maitri said that if all went well, he would be able to give his official decision next week.

Source: http://www.phuketgaz...arty-19665.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2012-12-08

[alstaxi]

Beach vendor mafia need cash to kick upstairs, corruption not too rampant.gagging.

[Spoonman]

"Surin Beach hoteliers explained that just the announcement of the party alone had cost them 8 million baht in booking cancellations"

So where are the 50,000 going to stay ?

[fiddlehead]

How 50,000 people coming to party could hurt the local businesses?

Who dreams this shit up?

OK, move the party to Nai Yang or Mai Khao and see if they complain about 50,000 new arrivals coming specifically to their beach.

[JetsetBkk]

Yeas, let's meet the Governor half-way.

Let's see, half-way from Sarasin bridge to Surin is about... Mai Khao, right near the airport. Perfect!

[Tanaka]

Downscale a beach party? How do you do that once it is underway? What if another 50.000 turn up to join, what do they plan to do? Yeah, it is not likely but it is possible.

[stoli]

An extra 50,000 people will hurt the beach vendors business? How is that possible? You mean they can't handle all of those extra sales? What a problem to have......

[jbrain]

I hope the organisers calculated for a BIG bag of tea money

[blackthorn2005]

" representatives from Sydictive Element were to meet Marine Department officers today to explain how they intended to deal with a raft of issues" Marine department dealing with a 'raft' of issues, very good

[Fgis]

50000 people retarded enough to go to ugly phuket and his mafia, it's promising !

[Payboy]

'Meet me halfway' says Phuket Governor on Paris Hilton beach party

Okay, I'm gonna load half a bong for that party.

[evol]

What a joke, haris pilton party. Why make phuket so cheap? is there not enough going on at NYE, ? Take the party far away, to a place where it will not disturb anyone. Nobody wants it accept the people who want to make money from it. A lot of hands will be greased no doubt. Suring beach NYE , leave it for the locals to relax and enjoy the ambience, please not turn it into a drunken noisy fiasco, as that is all it will be. I personally will avoid phuket , as will lots of others due to this stupid idea.

[pagallim]

Half way? Perhaps an unfortunate statement from the Governor as it could be construed that he wants half of the undoubted remuneration/kickback.

On a more serious note, there is a distinct lack of responsibility taking for exactly who is authorising this event, and even more evident is the lack of information from the organisers about where the target population are coming from, where they are going to sleep, and how they're going to get home again?

Unless the crowd is going to materialise from the already planned/booked Phuket tourists (imagine 50,000 in tuk tuks/black taxis wending their way from Patong/Karon/Kata)! Have the police been consulted? My recent observations are that they struggle with the demands of Chalong Circle at rush hour, let alone the sanitary and medicinal habits of 50,000 with less than adequate toilet facilities. Upset beach vendors are going to be the least of their worries. Note to self: buy a few cases of favourite drinks before 29th December as there may well be a shortage to equal that of the flood situation of some time ago.

Another telling factor is the lack of a safety management plan (which would need the participation/input of local/provincial emergency services), surely a pre-requisite for any responsible authority to 'bless' this event?

Somebody is going to get the blame for this, but rest assured, it won't be anybody who will gain the maximum benefit.

Again, the clock is ticking, and the final excuse in all probability is that "it was too late, nothing could be done, tickets had been sold, we did everything that we could".........

[jbrain]

What a joke, haris pilton party. Why make phuket so cheap? is there not enough going on at NYE, ? Take the party far away, to a place where it will not disturb anyone. Nobody wants it accept the people who want to make money from it. A lot of hands will be greased no doubt. Suring beach NYE , leave it for the locals to relax and enjoy the ambience, please not turn it into a drunken noisy fiasco, as that is all it will be. I personally will avoid phuket , as will lots of others due to this stupid idea.

And there was stupid me, thinking that New years eve was an occassion to celebrate and have fun.

Edited December 8, 2012 by jbrain

[khaowong1]

Ok, let me get this straight.. If Paris Hilton proposed a new years beach party at say, Fort Lauderdale, Daytona Beach or even South Beach in Florida. Do you really think the Governor of Florida would actually give a shit? This is all about money.. period, end of statement.

[LivinginKata]

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