Gov wants Phuket beaches to be 'among best in world'

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Gov wants Phuket beaches to be 'among best in world'
Nattha Thepbamrung


It's in the bag: Gov Nisit adds another piece of rubbish to the pile collected at Kamala.

PHUKET: -- During a recent monthly beach cleaning activity at Kamala Beach, Phuket Governor Nisit Jansomwong announced that he wants to see Phuket beaches once more ranked among the best in the world.

That could be a hard ask. He noted, “Phuket currently has no beaches ranked in the 100 most beautiful beaches in the world, even though we are a world class tourist destination. I think we have to adjust Phuket and make tourism here more sustainable. It is the island̕s main income,” he said.

He has an idea to push improvements: “In the coming 12 months we will hold a contest to find the best and worst beaches in each district. Hopefully, this will convince people to be more concerned about our valuable public property.”

He added that the beach-cleaning activity he joined is aimed at encouraging people to become more concerned about beach cleanliness. But to achieve this, cooperation from the private sector, local people and tourists is needed.

He also mentioned that the beach zoning project will soon be finished, following the implementation of beach zoning at all beaches in Muang district – from Karon to Naiharn.

The governor said, “We want to make local people and businesses feel proud about and love their beautiful beaches, and also to help keep them clean." The award for worst beach may also alarm local businesses to the point where they do something to clean up the sand.

“If we show concern about our own property [the beaches], the tourists who visit will also respect them, and will take care of them as we do.

Regarding the beach zoning, the governor said that beaches in Muang district have already had their zoning plans, and regulations will come into force in the near future.

“In the Muang district we have now completed the plan for the 10-per-cent zoning areas for each beach.

“We also have regulations set out for each beach. However, these will vary as some beaches do not have any umbrellas, and some do not allow masseurs on the sand, while some do.

“I will make an announcement as soon as the other two districts [Kathu and Thalang] complete the plans for their beaches, and I will ensure the rules are enforced.”

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/gov-wants-phuket-beaches-to-be-among-best-in-world-50629.php


-- Phuket News 2015-01-19

[NamKangMan]

“Phuket currently has no beaches ranked in the 100 most beautiful beaches in the world" - that's not so much because of the beaches themselves, but rather all the BS that is around them.

[paddle of rebuke]

Get rid of all the hawkers and traders.

Have the litter cleared up every morning before the tourists arrive at the beach and they might be in with a shout.

However, this is Thailand.

You'd have to go a long way to beat the beaches in Australia.

[FireMedic]

Seems simple enough. Run these up and down the beaches every morning. If Jamaicans can do it, surely Thais can.

[Emster23]

I want to be in better shape and have a beautiful, rich, loving woman come and sweep me off my feet.... but that would take some effort, a somewhat important component if "wants" are to become "reality".

[lee b]

At the moment some of them are on par with Blackpool beach.

[clockman]

Good luck with that.!

[Lupatria]

Stop dreaming and W O R K on it !

[Pinot]

And I want a pony.

First of all they've given enormous portions of the beaches to the jetskis. The only explaination for this is the kickbacks the politicians are receiving. 2000 baht for 1/2 hour generates income. No one wants the jetskis or the parasailing. Show me the quality beaches in the world where they allow this shit to go on. The other problem with the beaches is that no one is enforcing the new rules. The vendors take as much as they can and everyday they take more if no one stops them. Kitchens are set up in direct violation of the rules including tables and chairs on the beach. Hold the OrBoTors responsible for enforcing the rules, they're the ones collecting the rent on these beach vendors. They make millions oh baht renting space while they're suppose to be overseeing the welfare of the beaches.

This governor will be replaced as soon as he's made his money. Things always get worse because nobody cares. It's the Thai way. How can I make money, not how can I make the beach better. Governor is just moving his lips and the usual crap is spewing out. None of these politicians can be trusted because they're all bent.

[inzman]

This place is so corrupt and ignorant to the trash piling up. Absolutely no understanding of reality, just money money money. It's way past the point of no return. Phuket had its day but it will never return to its former glory. Profit rules!

[eezergood]

I spent 4 hours cleaning the beach with work colleagues, we bagged it & called the council ahead of time, during and after we had finished. They vowed to collect the bags in the next day or so, they are still sat there..........

[ajonfree]

We live in Kamala because we used to love the beach, it could be an awesome beach as it was just a few years ago. Over the last few weeks we have seen many tourists wandering around the beach with bags of rubbish looking for somewhere to put them. There is only rubbish bin on the whole beach and it has been full to overflowing for weeks. It seems that most tourists are fairly responsible as the rubbish ends up in little (sometimes not so little) piles at the back of the beach where they gave up looking for somewhere to put it.

Of course it would be no good simply putting bins or some sort of recepacles for rubbish on the beach, they then need to emptied: an operation that seems to be beyond the authorities here.

This high season has been a disaster because that's what the beach has loooked like - a disaster area!

[hansgruber]

A tourist exodus is the only thing that will bring change.

Only once the Russians and Chinese get done turning beaches into ashtrays.

[bitcoinbob]

these guys only cater to visitors that come from places that have no world class beaches. china, russian ,finland,sweden,norway,england,germanyand others i am in total disbelief that anyone even goes to the beaches in thailand. it is just bangkok goes to the beach so disgusting http://travel.usnews.com/Rankings/Best_Beaches_in_the_World/

http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/top-10/beaches/

http://www.thecountriesof.com/top-10-best-and-most-beautiful-beaches-in-the-world-2014/

if you keep on <deleted> the ugly or fat chick she starts to think she is beatiful that is thailand's problem when it comes to beachs here people show up and they think they have great beaches but look who is showing up, it is the drunks guys <deleted> the fat bitch that know no better.

[Oziex1]

"I think we have to adjust Phuket and make tourism here more sustainable. It is the island̕s main income,” he said."

Well just start adjusting and start now.

[LivinginKata]

Many off topic posts removed. This topic is about Phuket beaches.

[Lokie]

Unbelievable!

[kwaussie]

The rats on Patong beach come out at night and party harder than everyone on Bangla Rd.

[Valentine]

Seems simple enough. Run these up and down the beaches every morning. If Jamaicans can do it, surely Thais can.

More than 20 years ago, in the early morning, I used to see a tractor towing something along behind it raking the beach at Patong. Does this not happen anymore?

[Soupdragon]

IMO Phuket has two functions......

1. To be a beautiful island

2. To generate revenue.

If these two are kept in balance they can both be achieved. When either one takes priority the other suffers. Guess which one is top of the list.

[LivinginKata]

Seems simple enough. Run these up and down the beaches every morning. If Jamaicans can do it, surely Thais can.

More than 20 years ago, in the early morning, I used to see a tractor towing something along behind it raking the beach at Patong. Does this not happen anymore?

I remember seeing something like that over 15 years ago, but it was always parked up in the municipal vehicle depot beside the Patong sewage works. Never ever saw it in operation.

[Les Norton]

This Thai habit of saying that they want this, and to be the hub of that is mistaken for the reality that it will never happen and they know it. Like listening to a 5 year old saying they wish they could fly.

[toenail]

Glad the governor is trying and not just worried about pocketing money. But the biggest mistake Thailand has made is allowing the hotels to be build right along where the coral is/was; not having proper sewage treatment for waste; zoned areas where you do not have open bars blarring out music until 2am or the "same-same" shops every 6 meters.

I remember when Phuket was "the place" to be in the 70's &80's. My college buddies and I strolled along Karon Beach area in the spring of 1982 (we stayed at some locally run beach cottage) and all you could see from the shoreline were palm trees that were in the distance, no high rise hotels. There was hardly anyone around so did some skinny dipping in the water. It wasn't difficult to do find tropical fish when one snorkeled. What a great memory from the past.

Twenty-four years later while working in the Middle East decided to take my wife and little daughter to Karon Beach in Phuket. I think the first couple days I was in denial I was at the same place. I was determined to find the simple bungalows I had stayed in twenty-four years before (which was next to a huge boulder near the beach....finally found the site and a big 5 star hotel was smack right on top of it. I was so sad to see the area become another Patong- but my wife thought it was fine, she hadn't seen the paradise like I had.

[Ve37]

“Phuket currently has no beaches ranked in the 100 most beautiful beaches in the world" - that's not so much because of the beaches themselves, but rather all the BS that is around them.

The problem with Phuket's beaches is simple,...arrogant, hateful, pushy Russian tourists. I visited Karon and Patong beaches a couple weeks ago, and was shocked by how Russians as a whole, treat Thai people, others, and themselves. Was so glad to leave,...and have no desire to ever return as long as it's packed with Russians, as it was. I felt threatened every minute, both on the beaches, and in the towns.

Russian tourists have already negatively influenced Thai people in Phuket,...contracting their culturally happy demeanor with Russian traits. I hope they stay out of North Thailand,...although a few have been trickling in. What good will be Thailand if Thai people become like Russian people.

[hansgruber]

“Phuket currently has no beaches ranked in the 100 most beautiful beaches in the world" - that's not so much because of the beaches themselves, but rather all the BS that is around them.

The problem with Phuket's beaches is simple,...arrogant, hateful, pushy Russian tourists. I visited Karon and Patong beaches a couple weeks ago, and was shocked by how Russians as a whole, treat Thai people, others, and themselves. Was so glad to leave,...and have no desire to ever return as long as it's packed with Russians, as it was. I felt threatened every minute, both on the beaches, and in the towns.

Russian tourists have already negatively influenced Thai people in Phuket,...contracting their culturally happy demeanor with Russian traits. I hope they stay out of North Thailand,...although a few have been trickling in. What good will be Thailand if Thai people become like Russian people.

I don't buy this about the Russians. Thais were greedy and jaded long before they arrived.

Yes they have cultural differences to westerners but it's only a few that are rude, arrogant and thoughtless.

I have met some very nice Russian people who are well educated yet humble people.

Ukrainians, Siberians and Uzbekistanis aren't Russian and are often mistaken as such.

[Oziex1]

This is about Phuket beaches but seems to have drifted into Russian bashing. I find them a little difficult to understand because of their language, however the loud rude and obnoxious Aussies, Brits, Kiwis and other westerners I can understand and I don't like them at all, they seem like a lot but really a minority.

[Oziex1]

Get rid of all the hawkers and traders.

Have the litter cleared up every morning before the tourists arrive at the beach and they might be in with a shout.

However, this is Thailand.

You'd have to go a long way to beat the beaches in Australia.

How many of us have had the dilemma, you have some waste, some packaging a cigarette but or whatever, your at the beach your in the street where do you dispose of it? no rubbish bins to be seen and if there is they're hidden under a mountain of crap that gets removed infrequently.

In the first photo the young man is diligently cleaning Yanui Beach Phuket.

The second photo is where he dumps the rubbish at the Southern end of the beach, I think it ends up back where it started so I guess he's recycling.

Not Thai bashing just showing there is a lot of education required before change will come.

[NamKangMan]

“Phuket currently has no beaches ranked in the 100 most beautiful beaches in the world" - that's not so much because of the beaches themselves, but rather all the BS that is around them.

The problem with Phuket's beaches is simple,...arrogant, hateful, pushy Russian tourists. I visited Karon and Patong beaches a couple weeks ago, and was shocked by how Russians as a whole, treat Thai people, others, and themselves. Was so glad to leave,...and have no desire to ever return as long as it's packed with Russians, as it was. I felt threatened every minute, both on the beaches, and in the towns.

Russian tourists have already negatively influenced Thai people in Phuket,...contracting their culturally happy demeanor with Russian traits. I hope they stay out of North Thailand,...although a few have been trickling in. What good will be Thailand if Thai people become like Russian people.

I don't buy this about the Russians. Thais were greedy and jaded long before they arrived.

Yes they have cultural differences to westerners but it's only a few that are rude, arrogant and thoughtless.

I have met some very nice Russian people who are well educated yet humble people.

Ukrainians, Siberians and Uzbekistanis aren't Russian and are often mistaken as such.

I agree. I've never had a problem with Russians, and have met a few nice Russian people.

They are very patriotic, and quite competetive in nature. Sometimes this can be mistaken for arrogance.

Sure, they get excited by their holiday, and loud with their consumption of alcohol and attention from Thai women, but so do tourists from every other country.

As far as Russians changing Thai culture, look around you. Look at all the overweight Thai kids eating McDonalds, look at all the 50/50 kids. (half Thai - half farang) look at how commercialised Phuket has become, and the Thai's lust for money etc etc.

Thai culture died on Phuket many years ago.

[robertthebruce]

I spent 4 hours cleaning the beach with work colleagues, we bagged it & called the council ahead of time, during and after we had finished. They vowed to collect the bags in the next day or so, they are still sat there..........

Well done for Cleaning the Beach, its appreciated..

Thanks for that...

hopefully next time i can join in.....

[eezergood]

I spent 4 hours cleaning the beach with work colleagues, we bagged it & called the council ahead of time, during and after we had finished. They vowed to collect the bags in the next day or so, they are still sat there..........

Well done for Cleaning the Beach, its appreciated..

Thanks for that...

hopefully next time i can join in.....

The local council guys burnt some of the driftwood & various other bits & pieces..... will report back to see if they are still there