This afternoon/early evening, demolition of illegal businesses on the beachfront has started, assisted by the army.

Right now, the 'low-hanging' fruit is the first target, being the group of bamboo huts and small restaurants located close to the sea, in the tree-covered area between Dewa Hotel and the concrete business structures.

Actually, this group of restaurants has never been the subject of criticism, since they mainly serve local Thais with fresh fish meals, whilst sitting on mats. But I suppose a start has to be made and they are the first to 'fall'.

The bamboo buildings are being lifted onto large trucks and driven away for nearby storage (at karaoke bars on the airport road).

I saw maybe 10 army soldiers helping to load these trucks.

It will be interesting to see if the army will move progressively along the beach to remove structures - the next to fall would be Sand Bar, the massage and guesthouse next door, and several more concrete guesthouses built right down to the high water mark.

I'm also interested in seeing if they work their way down the beach. Some of those structures look pretty permanent. That road is almost impassable now due to development on both sides in the area near the Indigo Pearl. Wonder if any of that is legal? That's a beautiful little bay that's crying for a thorough cleanup. Go Army!

Just read an interesting article on the site "that cannot be named", about how some Nai Yang bars & restaurants are still being allowed to trade.

Apparently one strip of businesses were given the right to trade by a deal done between the National Park & the Or Bor Tor.

Work that out ?

Just reading the same report.

Seems this is going to pose a problem for the Army to move.

It appears they are legal

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The military made an appearance at the southern end of Nai Yang beach this afternoon & proceeded to demolish 3 more restaurants.

LeungKen, yes one of my hotel guests just came back from NY beach - the army has demolished about 4 restaurants at the far end of the beach, (apparently those which definitely intruded into the NP). My guest said that she spoke to the staff in another restaurant (not near the far end of the beach), and she has been told by the army that all businesses will be demolished within 7 days...

I was having a drink in a Nai Yang beach bar yesterday afternoon. Next door was a large open-air massage operation with twenty or so beds and ladies waiting to soothe those aches and pains away.

Along came five soldiers and spoke to the ladies. Some of the ladies left and over the next half hour more locals converged on the building and a public meeting began, where a naval commander addressed the fifty or so Thais who had assembled. Everything was calm and orderly which was good because, as the guy spoke, more soldiers came and quietly formed a loose cordon around the area, including two soldiers with mean-looking sub machine guns. The others had side arms. A military photographer was present and two more naval officers arrived to watch. One of them was a commodore, at least that's what his insignia would have meant had he been in the British navy. So, quite an intimidating military presence, although everyone was calm and polite.

During the discussion a large JCB excavator drove past, heading for the south end of the beach where demolition took place as LeungKen described above.

Sheets of A4 paper were handed to some of the people at the meeting and a local Thai lady told me that they were notices announcing the forthcoming demolition of properties on the beach.

After some questions were asked by the locals and discussion ended, everyone quietly left and I presume that they are awaiting further developments today.

Clearly the military aren't taking any shit over the encroachment of businesses on the National Park and the beach at Nai Yang.

Haven't been up there in a while, but if they got rid of those somtam/bbq places with the mat seating, I guess I won't have any reason to make the trip from down south anymore.

They were always a nice place to enjoy an afternoon at the beach.

Photos from yesterday afternoon & this morning,

Wow!

The photos above pretty well confirms what you wrote Tapster.

"one strip of businesses were given the right to trade by a deal done between the National Park & the Or Bor Tor."

So will the army clear everything on the beach side of the road or not? Anyone know?

There is talk that businesses should now consult with their lawyers & communicate with the military "legal eagles". But that may only defer the inevitable.

Locals madly putting together every scrap of paper relating to their claim to their bit of land.

IMHO eventually most, if not all will have to go eventually, but only time will tell.

There is an article in the Phuket News (Mods please remove if required)

http://www.thephuketnews.com/another-phuket-beach-restaurant-bites-the-dust-47872.php

There is a video on "Facebook" if you belong.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=760251614042721&set=vb.131182523616303&type=2&theater

I just heard news from a friend who owns a bar on the beach that all businesses on the beach have been given 7 days to clear their buildings of furniture etc, prior to demolition.

Right now, people are carrying tables, chairs and beds out of the businesses....

Update:

I just drove down to NY Beach. I didn't take any photos because many of the business owners know me as a friend and colleague - it would seem to be 'gloating' over their situation, (even if it is of their own making).

I only drove as far as Nai Yang Beach Resort - the beach road was too busy to drive on after that point.

Many of the restaurants have already removed all tables and chairs - their building structure is only made of wood or unfinished concrete blocks.

SandBar (the first bar on your right as you drive along the beachfront is all but empty - all fittings alrewady removed.

Staff are busy removing fixtures and fittings from many of the small shops - they clearly believe that the army will keep to their promise to demolish the buildings.

One guesthouse (Rimlay Bungalow) has hung a 2x3 metre poster right across the front of their building with copies of government documents which (presumably) allowed them to operate their business on the beach. (I saw no copies of land/Chanote documents though). I think this 'last stand' is a waste of time -the army will not demolish wooden buildings and leave the concrete ones still standing...

Of course, now the $64,000 question is what will happen to the 4/5 star hotel and hotel condos just a few hundred metres away which is confirmed by the NP map as being slap bang inside the NP....

So, is there actually much there on offer anymore?

Got 3 nights chill out at Nai Yang next month.....I know its a quiet place, just hoping I can at least get a cold beer!!

Any advice??

Yes samuiseagull, there are still a few places, there is a little soi down on the left as you head south along the beach road where there are half a dozen small bars operating, plus Sea Beach Bar opposite the big open sided massage house. Cheers & Chok dii khrap.

P.S. and there are 2 Mini-Marts so you wont have to suffer withdrawal symptoms.

Yes samuiseagull, there are still a few places, there is a little soi down on the left as you head south along the beach road where there are half a dozen small bars operating, plus Sea Beach Bar opposite the big open sided massage house. Cheers & Chok dii khrap.

P.S. and there are 2 Mini-Marts so you wont have to suffer withdrawal symptoms.

Excellent news.

After 3 nights they'll of had enough of me anyway!!!!

The military are back on the beach today in big numbers, complete with heavy machinery to start the next phase of the demolition. Though Octopus & Beach Club Bar have stated they will have to be removed by force.

I suspect the military have the force needed.