Phuket's Surin Beach 'may be stripped of all businesses'

[LivinginKata]

Cleaning out the many off topic posts, This topic refers to Surin Beach in Phuket, Thailand.

[madmitch]

If you think encroachment on Phuket beaches is bad, you should look at some of the Thai orientated places, including Hua Hin and especially Bang Saen. Dreadful, umbrellas and deckchairs froming a virtual canopy, but bear in mind that that's the Thai way as they don't like to sit in the sun.

[Oziex1]

So when are the ugly massage shacks on Nai Harn going to go, mother nature let us down as I thought they were about to be washed away.

[Hugh Geen]

I hope it does not go the way of Tri Trang and Freedom and Paradise beaches which seem to be privately owned now.

[simon43]

I hope it does not go the way of Tri Trang and Freedom and Paradise beaches which seem to be privately owned now.

There is no such thing as a privately-owned beach in Thailand.

The access road may be privately-owned, but not the beach.

[Lokie]

Legal or not, I thought it looked quite nice around that end of Surin Beach, but being Dumb also thought it was a private club/hotel, never realised it was public land? Does Ripping it all down really make this area more appealing to tourists and hence bring money to the area? Yes is nice to have open beaches, but some people want to use beach sunbeds and have the choice of a cool beer/drink etc... Just saying like, do not condone illegal establishments, but then here in LOS define Illegal? lol...

You condone theft of public land and the degredation of the environment so that you can have a cool drink on a beach.

I merely raised a question in general discussion, and stated that I thought it was public land, my observation was that this area was indeed quite pleasent, I do not condone illegal land grabs, show me where I said that?

As said do tourists really want virgin beaches??? Seems from the replies all the expats want nothing on the beaches so they can take their dogs there to $ hit in peace on the sand, I still wager tourists would like the option of hiring sunbeds and buy a cool drink without having to cross anywhere, lets be honest about it people...

Edited June 19, 2014 by LivinginKata
insulting remark removed

[Hugh Geen]

I hope it does not go the way of Tri Trang and Freedom and Paradise beaches which seem to be privately owned now.

There is no such thing as a privately-owned beach in Thailand.

The access road may be privately-owned, but not the beach.

For the last 4 years at least you had to pay 100b to sit on Paradise Beach. Last year you had to pay 100b to get on to Tri Trang beach - now it is closed with a notice saying 'Privare Property'. Controversy over access to Freedom beach has, I know, been well aired here.

[BradinAsia]

I don't work here. I actually put into the economy, and take nothing out.

I'm not racists. I've lived and worked around the world.

I have nothing against Thai's, but I have no problem saying I despise the "influential people" on Phuket and what they have done to this once great place to holiday on. I have no respect for them, as they have no respect for me.

They have been allowed to use this island as their own cash cow, illegally, for so long.

If you detect any "negative stereotypes of Thai's" in my posts, I assure you, it's against those individuals, and not Thai's in general.

In regards to Phuket being "lawless" - well, if you haven't noticed the massive corruption here, and rising crime, maybe you should have a chat to the Thai Army who do see it. They will point it out to you.

Okay, after reading this post, I see I had you wrong. Sorry.

[NamKangMan]

I don't work here. I actually put into the economy, and take nothing out.

I'm not racists. I've lived and worked around the world.

I have nothing against Thai's, but I have no problem saying I despise the "influential people" on Phuket and what they have done to this once great place to holiday on. I have no respect for them, as they have no respect for me.

They have been allowed to use this island as their own cash cow, illegally, for so long.

If you detect any "negative stereotypes of Thai's" in my posts, I assure you, it's against those individuals, and not Thai's in general.

In regards to Phuket being "lawless" - well, if you haven't noticed the massive corruption here, and rising crime, maybe you should have a chat to the Thai Army who do see it. They will point it out to you.

Okay, after reading this post, I see I had you wrong. Sorry.

No problem.

Over the years, these "influential people" have done nothing to improve Phuket for tourists, and the tourism industy here in general, and have done everything to fill their own pockets.

The encroachment onto the beaches here is only one illegal money making operation they have presided over, in a long list of illegal activities that they have allowed, for a "fee."

They should not have gained, financially, by allowing the use of public land for commercial gain. The fact that they did, with impunity, shows the lawlessness here.

In my opinion, the worst allowed to happen is in the public transport industry, with many dying on the roads here, due to an affordable essential service being witheld from the public.

The beach is just being returned to the state that the "influential people" should have left it in.

Unfortunately, there are so many other issues that the Thai Army must address, just to get Phuket inline with the rest of Thailand, let alone returning it to being a desired tourist destination.

[ALFREDO]

arent there plenty of beaches in non tourist areas where the expats can go

Where is that and how do I get there? Can I stay there also, hotel there? Link and names please!

[KarenBravo]

These plastic loungers are stackable. They can still hire out a chair and brolly, but, they only go on the beach once they have been hired. Soon as they leave the beach, the lounger goes back on the stack.

This solves the problem of tourists wanting a lounger and no more rows and rows of empty loungers.

[steelepulse]

These plastic loungers are stackable. They can still hire out a chair and brolly, but, they only go on the beach once they have been hired. Soon as they leave the beach, the lounger goes back on the stack.

This solves the problem of tourists wanting a lounger and no more rows and rows of empty loungers.

I agree, and to take things further, here's a workable solution that would solve many problems.

1) All beach chair hire now goes to the local orbortor.

2) Orbortor hires staff to handle chair rentals, keep beach clean in that area, and offer basic refreshments from a small kiosk somewhere in the shade line of the trees next to the beach. If staff doesn't work, they get sacked and the next hire gets a go. Pretty soon the word would be out that the beach employees actually have to work.

3) All money collected on beach chair hire ( in theory and with proper accounting!) goes towards paying lifeguards a proper wage, as well as equipment which is up to international standards. Money also goes towards building public facilities for bathrooms and showers as well as beach cleaners. Why do most "world class" beaches here not have public facilities?

This simple formula seems to work in most parts of the world, so if greed could somehow be eliminated from the current situation, Phuket's beaches could in theory match other first world "world class " beaches.

[JO1973]

Thailand has to stop worrying about the "rights" of business men, who run illegal businesses. They know full well that they have opened a business on public land, but they decided anyway to take a calculated risk in order to make a profit. Sometimes that works out, but when it does not, the rest of the country should not feel sorry for these people. On the contrary those occupying public land should be thankful they are only losing their illegal business, and not their freedom.

You're absolutely right. These are a small number of people occupying what belongs to everyone else but have the gall to say "pay me for using it".

These aren't victims and no one should feel sorry for them. If anything they should be happy to have got away with it for so long!

[keestha]

arent there plenty of beaches in non tourist areas where the expats can go

Where is that and how do I get there? Can I stay there also, hotel there? Link and names please!

Plenty of untouristy beaches in Thailand that do have places to stay, like Khanom in Nakhon Si Thammarat, the island of Koh Kaw Khao 20 km North of Khao Lak, Hat Cabana close to Chumporn Town, Sating Phra just North of Songhkla, and Hat Pak Meng and further south close to Trang.

[ALFREDO]

Where is that and how do I get there? Can I stay there also, hotel there? Link and names please!

Plenty of untouristy beaches in Thailand that do have places to stay, like Khanom in Nakhon Si Thammarat, the island of Koh Kaw Khao 20 km North of Khao Lak, Hat Cabana close to Chumporn Town, Sating Phra just North of Songhkla, and Hat Pak Meng and further south close to Trang.

OK, thanks, but a bit more afford to come there.

Khanom area I was already, the others mentioned, still have to check out.

[Emster23]

"There's not many major tourist destinations in the world where an Army presence has been good for the tourism industry."

There is now....

[stuarty]

Has the Lotus and Tom Yums etc been removed? If not why not? And if not, forget about any other beach.

[AJBangkok]

I drove past Lotus on Thursday and it was business as usual from what I could see from the road. A small group of tourists was leaving and a few taxi drivers milling around the entrance.

[NomadJoe]

Would this mean that all beach chairs and beach loungers all over Phuket will have to go?

I was shocked when I went to Kata and Nai Harn beaches yesterday...no more beach chairs! None! I bet the beach hasn't looked like this in over 20 yers. Nearly brought a tear to my eye.

But lot's of garbage washed up on the beach as always this time of year. And I watched a group of Thai youths set up in the trees near us packed up their belongings but left all their garbage. Next thing we need is full time year round beach cleaners and bins.

Edited July 7, 2014 by NomadJoe

[KarenBravo]

Not that long ago..........

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roREnVhd_og

Edited July 7, 2014 by KarenBravo

[NomadJoe]

Lol reposted..thought it was s different thread

Edited July 7, 2014 by NomadJoe

[NomadJoe]

Not that long ago..........

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roREnVhd_og

Lol you do realize that is a fictionalized version of history, exaggerated for humors sake?

[KarenBravo]

No, that really was what it was like. I remember the same attitude to litter in the UK in the early seventies.........before public education commenced with the Keep Britain Tidy campaign.

[Jimi007]

So when are the ugly massage shacks on Nai Harn going to go, mother nature let us down as I thought they were about to be washed away.

They are gone. Although their cement ring foundations are still there.

[Jimi007]

These plastic loungers are stackable. They can still hire out a chair and brolly, but, they only go on the beach once they have been hired. Soon as they leave the beach, the lounger goes back on the stack.

This solves the problem of tourists wanting a lounger and no more rows and rows of empty loungers.

I agree, and to take things further, here's a workable solution that would solve many problems.

1) All beach chair hire now goes to the local orbortor.

2) Orbortor hires staff to handle chair rentals, keep beach clean in that area, and offer basic refreshments from a small kiosk somewhere in the shade line of the trees next to the beach. If staff doesn't work, they get sacked and the next hire gets a go. Pretty soon the word would be out that the beach employees actually have to work.

3) All money collected on beach chair hire ( in theory and with proper accounting!) goes towards paying lifeguards a proper wage, as well as equipment which is up to international standards. Money also goes towards building public facilities for bathrooms and showers as well as beach cleaners. Why do most "world class" beaches here not have public facilities?

This simple formula seems to work in most parts of the world, so if greed could somehow be eliminated from the current situation, Phuket's beaches could in theory match other first world "world class " beaches.

Sorry, I don't agree. I have three houses at "world class" beaches. Our government in California takes anyone who thinks "their" beach is private to court. There are no lounger rentals, never have been. All businesses are on private land, not on public. Seems to work well and now with the National Marine Sanctuaries, the coastal waters are returning to their natural beauty with abundant sea life after so many years of over fishing. I was always amazed that the whole beach lounger and bars on the beach was ever tolerated here. I'm very happy the law is finally being enforced. Although I did see beach loungers back on Ya Nui just yesterday. I think this will be an on going battle.

[LivinginKata]

Would this mean that all beach chairs and beach loungers all over Phuket will have to go?

I was shocked when I went to Kata and Nai Harn beaches yesterday...no more beach chairs! None! I bet the beach hasn't looked like this in over 20 yers. Nearly brought a tear to my eye.

Yes, I noticed that all the beach chairs, massage beds, and beach huts had all gon on Kata Beach a couple of days ago.

But I see the beach chairs are still operating on Patong beach. Wonder when that will come under attention by army ? Soon I hope.

[LivinginKata]

a number of off topic posts have been removed.

[Oziex1]

These plastic loungers are stackable. They can still hire out a chair and brolly, but, they only go on the beach once they have been hired. Soon as they leave the beach, the lounger goes back on the stack.

This solves the problem of tourists wanting a lounger and no more rows and rows of empty loungers.

I agree, and to take things further, here's a workable solution that would solve many problems.

1) All beach chair hire now goes to the local orbortor.

2) Orbortor hires staff to handle chair rentals, keep beach clean in that area, and offer basic refreshments from a small kiosk somewhere in the shade line of the trees next to the beach. If staff doesn't work, they get sacked and the next hire gets a go. Pretty soon the word would be out that the beach employees actually have to work.

3) All money collected on beach chair hire ( in theory and with proper accounting!) goes towards paying lifeguards a proper wage, as well as equipment which is up to international standards. Money also goes towards building public facilities for bathrooms and showers as well as beach cleaners. Why do most "world class" beaches here not have public facilities?

This simple formula seems to work in most parts of the world, so if greed could somehow be eliminated from the current situation, Phuket's beaches could in theory match other first world "world class " beaches.

Oh, to live in the ideal world, where "if greed could somehow be eliminated'' good luck with that one!

[TaoNow]

Another opinion:

I like to swim every day at Kata Noi beach during the low season.

Maybe I will spend 4 hours there during the day, swimming and then resting in a lounge chair.

I am a bit prone to skin cancer and need an umbrella to protect against the intense rays while I rest between swims -- which are demanding due to the strong currents and surf.

The guy who rents the chairs and umbrellas pays a concession to the Karon Municipality and charges me 100 baht for the entire day's use of the chair and umbrella. He also offers refreshments at a mark-up but convenient if dehydrated.

He stacks the chairs at the end of the day to leave the beach uncluttered. He also helps clean the beach of trash and wash-up. He provides friendly conversation and advice about the water conditions.

What would you propose to replace this service?

I don't see how this is exploitative or criminal in the way the tuk tuk and jet ski scams are (were).

Edited July 8, 2014 by TaoNow

[LivinginKata]

Another opinion:

I like to swim every day at Kata Noi beach during the low season.

Maybe I will spend 4 hours there during the day, swimming and then resting in a lounge chair.

I am a bit prone to skin cancer and need an umbrella to protect against the intense rays while I rest between swims -- which are demanding due to the strong currents and surf.

The guy who rents the chairs and umbrellas pays a concession to the Karon Municipality and charges me 100 baht for the entire day's use of the chair and umbrella. He also offers refreshments at a mark-up but convenient if dehydrated.

He stacks the chairs at the end of the day to leave the beach uncluttered. He also helps clean the beach of trash and wash-up. He provides friendly conversation and advice about the water conditions.

What would you propose to replace this service?

I don't see how this is exploitative or criminal in the way the tuk tuk and jet ski scams are (were).

Trouble with your theseus is that no 'concession' fee goes into the Karon public coffers. It goes straight into the pocket of corrupt officials, like the mayor of Karon.

Now you might undestand 'how this is exploitative or criminal in the way the tuk tuk and jet ski scams are (were)'.