Phuket beach vendors lobby to be allowed back on the sand

[webfact]

Phuket beach vendors lobby to be allowed back on the sand
Suthicha Sirirat


The auditorium at Prince of Songkhla University was packed for the meeting.

PHUKET: -- More than 500 people gathered at a meeting at the Prince of Songkhla University Phuket Campus yesterday (August 10) to air their grievances over problems the mass clean-up along the beaches has caused them.

Many of those who attended the meeting called for the “Phuket Council” – an ad hoc body set up by the vendors – to lobby the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to allow vendors to go back and do business along the beach.

They said they were hoping to seek “justice” from the NCPO so they could get back their livelihoods.

Jakarin Jareonjit, a sunbeds and umbrella renter, said that since the beach clean-up many had lost their jobs and have no income to support their families. Some families have had to take their children out of school because they can no longer afford it.

Many beach vendors have no other way of earning money because they have been in the same business for over 40 years, he said.

Mr Jakarin added that most tourists prefer to have the option of using a sunbed and umbrella on the beach.

“They come to our beaches for the convenience. If we can’t provide such services, tourists will simply find an alternate beach destination in a different country,” he said.

Phuket Council leader Palad Jansopin said, “While [the Army] attempt to solve the encroachment problem, we must ensure that no one suffers as a result of it. Tourist service workers must have an opportunity to find alternative employment, or new jobs should be provided for them.”

He confirmed that the Phuket Council will gather both negative and positive comments and hand them to the NCPO next month.

The council are registering names and IDs and other supporting information to pass on to the NCPO.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-beach-vendors-lobby-to-be-allowed-back-on-the-sand-47788.php


-- Phuket News 2014-08-11

[Just1Voice]

Gee, people, what part of PUBLIC BEACHES do you not understand????

Just because you've been doing it illegally for 40 years doesn't make it right, or entitle you to squat. Deal with it.

[KarenBravo]

Having a whine using sour grapes.

[steelepulse]

Let's see their tax returns and tax payments for all the years they operated illegally, and then when a new system is set up that will allow vendors to offer their services off the beach and not be permanent, they will get first priority to operate and follow the law. All other non tax payers can go ahead and seek new employment.

BTW, did these vendors not save for a rainy day? Last time I checked, public schools were pretty much free.

[jocko]

Where are all the men?

[iReason]

Samui and Pattaya next General?

Good luck!

[eezergood]

Where are all the men?

Sat around using their last remaining THB to drink whiskey & whinge

[Dogmatix]

Let the Phuket governor's office find them honest jobs on construction sites or fishing trawlers. There are plenty jobs available and the fact that they were operating illegal businesses in conservation areas and evading tax is not a good reason to let them break the law again.

Edited August 11, 2014 by Dogmatix

[ourmanflint]

I really hope the NCPO tell them where to go. Ordinary folks should be able to sit down on any part of the beach they choose, especially near the tree line for shade, not just at the high water mark, which is the only space left by these scroungers and there massive overpriced loungers.

[NoBrainer]

The beaches are much better off without these vendors / encroachers. I believe that when word travels, tourists will come in greater numbers to enjoy uncluttered beaches where they can actually relax, as apposed to being hassled constantly. Maybe some of these people could be hired by the local Tambons to keep the beaches clean, and free of garbage, (under strict supervision of course). Some of them could try operating a Meter Taxi business, with courteous service and friendly rates. This is still badly needed in Phuket.

[TheGhostWithin]

I notice all of the people in the photo have three things in common:

- They physically rather large

- They are well clothed

- They all have nice, shiny clean faces

Certainly not attributes I would associate with those on the poorer side of society as they claim they now are.

Perhaps they should apply for permits, and be granted limited operating space of which profits will be used to improve tourist services and limit the number of tourists using the services by limiting the size/area these services are offered in (e.g. not up to the water line as some mentioned already happened in the past).

People already go to beaches all over the world, they do not come to Phuket because some arrogant, deceptive mafia grandma has a chair which has already been sat on by 3 Brits, 2 Kiwis, an American, 6 Indians and 8 Russians before they used it.

Appears the "council" is a little delusional about what they are actually doing on the beach: they aren't providing a non-profit service, they are making a profit first and providing a service second (well, were!).

[Tchooptip]

“They come to our beaches for the convenience. If we can’t provide such services, tourists will simply find an alternate beach destination in a different country"

Can you believe this one!

[Katipo]

So people will go to alternate beaches covered in umbrellas and beach chairs rather than the now cleaner and more pristine Thai beaches. Yeah right.

Go home vendors, your'e drunk.

Edited August 11, 2014 by Katipo

[rethaier]

I see no reason these people can't rent chairs and umbrellas from a shop near the beach and let the renters take the chair and brolly and set it up wherever they want. But they should not be allowed to take over chunks of the beach as though they own it.

[Likener1]

To summarise :

"We were breaking the law and you have stopped us doing so - that is just SO unfair"

This is a challenge to the Military, rigorous enforcement or capitulation - same with the jet skis.

When Phuket introduces the 10 baht songthaew routes all over the Island then there will be real progress, I'm not holding my breath though.

It would show who is actually in charge.

Compromise on your own terms if your really in charge.

Edited August 11, 2014 by Likener1

[IamNoone88]

I know how that beach is run. Good riddance to the lot of them. Its survived on intimidation, defined territories on the beach and protection for years and years. They have operated using a big stick to protect themselves and their illegal activities ....... and now NCPO has an even bigger stick and they don't like it. There are plenty of honest retailers across the road and tourists know how to find a cold beer. These people finally got what they deserved and it was a long time coming.

[belg]

i think the factory is looking for people ... no skills needed

[starky]

most of the beaches I have been to in the world have no beach chair/ umbrella mafia taking up every square inch of sand so you have no other choice than to pay money to sit on the beach and then be harassed to spend even more more money on their over inflated drink, food, massage, other dodgy services. If I wanted an umbrella and a beach chair anywhere else in the world I would bring me own pretty basic really

[LivinginKata]

I see some vendors on Kata beach bringing drinks on motor bike and serving from the road side, carry drinks down to the sand. Real Thai ingenuity. Even folks offering towels for rent.

[Don Aleman]

Authorities could, of course, regulate it like Miami Beach, Malaga Spain, Nice,

Venice Beach Cal., but... nothing gets the military juices up better than demolishing !

[Deacon Bell]

A decent blockade is needed. How dare they be stopped from working illegally.

[Rorri]

Dogmatix, on 11 Aug 2014 - 15:22, said:

Let the Phuket governor's office find them honest jobs on construction sites or fishing trawlers. There are plenty jobs available and the fact that they were operating illegal businesses in conservation areas and evading tax is not a good reason to let them break the law again.

And the man at the top, the governor, what has he done, over the years, to stop all this illegal/corrupt activity.... absolutely nothing, in fact he even endorse fare rises for the taxis. Why hasn't he been brought to answer.

[klauskunkel]

“They come to our beaches for the convenience. If we can’t provide such services, tourists will simply find an alternate beach destination in a different country,” he said.

"Can't you see, the Dollars, Euros, Yen, Yuan, Rubles are leaving Thailand, right now. We were the ones who kept them here!", said the Jet Ski vendor

[Maroon Watcher]

Let them have a section of the beach 1/3 from the HWM to entrance of beach - Mark out what they can use.

Charge them regulated rent -

Small business Inititative...

(Freephone anonymous calls for Maffia threats)

Also have a section "public beach" -

NO squatters

Then for the "quality tourists"

Private section with charged entrance - free modern sun loungers and waiter service

(as you get in the Med. )

[Maroon Watcher]

... and teachers...

“They come to our beaches for the convenience. If we can’t provide such services, tourists will simply find an alternate beach destination in a different country,” he said.

"Can't you see, the Dollars, Euros, Yen, Yuan, Rubles are leaving Thailand, right now. We were the ones who kept them here!", said the Jet Ski vendor

[positiveaction]

well actually, i think quite a lot of people want a lounger and shade option (not me). Not everyone wants to cook in 35% and get burnt.....

and also - who are the idiots saying if i want a lounger and umbrella, i'll take my own or they can bring them from shops.....oh yes very relaxing...

i'm going to the beach- let's just hump this 5o kg sunlounger down to the beach!

the problm is the lack of regulation and fair competition and imtimidation.

Clearing them all off was probably the only way to start...but there should be a middle ground.....eg massage....many many people like to have massage at the beach and that was a choice.....now they can't.......

The tone of most people on TV nowadays is pretty ugly and agressive

[realenglish1]

The beach is public No one owns it Why do they think they have a right to do business right on the beach.

Its not their property

Get another job

[positiveaction]

many beaches are public and still allow some licensed traders to sell on it......there are certain things some tourists want to be offered while at the beach.....

[Carrerakiss]

Just got back from Nai Harn beach. Very pleasant there now. A bit messy with litter in some places, would be good if it could be cleaned up, but a big improvement from before, in my opinion.

I think the vendors haven't quite realized that they have been kicked out so that the beaches can be returned to the Thai people. It's tourists who want to sit on rented sun loungers, under rented umbrellas and drink beer bought from a pricy beach kiosk. Thai people sit on mats under trees and drink alcohol bought from a local mom and pop store. Can't see that the " tourists will go elsewhere" argument is going to carry much weight.

[mok199]

the thai sence of ownership...lol....im happy to see the shoe on the other foot now,i hope they come to pattaya soon,we need a new sheriff in town