Phuket beach loungers and umbrellas - current situation

[arthurmoore]

Are any of the Phuket beaches currently allowing loungers and umbrellas?

We were planning to come to Phuket later in the year, but there is no way we will sit on the beach without a comfortable lounger or deckchair (it is impossible to sit unsupported on a mat if you have a bad back) and we also need plenty of shade.

I hope that I will not have to change all my travel plans, but I will cancel Phuket if these facilities are not available on any of its beaches.

A recent photo would be great

Thanks

Art

[craigt3365]

I think this is probably best over in the Phuket sub forum. So...let's move this topic over there. OK? A link will be left here for answers also.

Topic Moved.

[steelepulse]

I still see plenty of people on their own loungers, with their own umbrellas. Vendors are renting out mats with umbrellas. I've even heard some hotels have some sort of program where prior guests bought lounge chairs and umbrellas and worked out some deal so the hotel could keep them and offer them to their guests, though I don't know which hotels these are. Much to do about nothing except for maybe Patong. Kata and Nai Harn where I tend to go have plenty of personal loungers and chairs that I've seen, even after this " lounger and chair ban".

[phuketrichard]

Plenty of both here in Kamala for rent an lots of wide open spaces as well

Plus u have trees the whole length of the beach

[DrDave]

Agree with member steelepulse. Zero enforcement of "no chairs, no umbrellas" at Kata Beach. Lots of people bringing their own with no hassle.

Kata also has a lot of trees along the back of the beach providing nice shade for those who don't like sitting in the sun.

[LivinginKata]

Agree with member steelepulse. Zero enforcement of "no chairs, no umbrellas" at Kata Beach. Lots of people bringing their own with no hassle.

Kata also has a lot of trees along the back of the beach providing nice shade for those who don't like sitting in the sun.

Yes, zero hassle at Kata beach. Own chair and umbrella welcomed.

[simon43]

We were planning to come to Phuket later in the year

Whilst the replies to your OP are encouraging, you say that you will be coming to Phuket later this year.

Who knows what the situation will; be like then. It could be 'anything goes' or 'nothing goes' !

[irishken]

Going to the beach and bringing your own chair & umbrella just seems like to much hassle and not worth. Was planning my next trip to Thailand and was going to Phuket but have now decided against it due to this situation. If i was going alone i wouldn't care less but with two young kids i'm sure i'd be restricted to evenings on the beach when it got cooler.

Will be keeping a eye on it and hopefully it returns to the way it was. What a way to <deleted> up one of the good things that Phuket had going for it

[Pinot]

I think you should stay home and troll.

Please, cancel your plans. The beaches are crowded enough without you.

Thailand is far better off without the loungers and the rest of the encroachment that goes along with having businesses on the King's beach.

Maybe next year, huh? When you realize the travel experience can't be duplicated anyplace else? See ya.

[irishken]

I think you should stay home and troll.

Please, cancel your plans. The beaches are crowded enough without you.

Thailand is far better off without the loungers and the rest of the encroachment that goes along with having businesses on the King's beach.

Maybe next year, huh? When you realize the travel experience can't be duplicated anyplace else? See ya.

Was that directed at me ?. What a i trolling about. I'm giving my opinion on what i use to like. I love Phuket and have probably been more times and spent a lot more time there than you.

As for getting that experience, It can be got in most beach towns or islands around thailand. It was getting the NICE chair, umbrella and food service on the beach that people like.

As for encroachment, are you thai, are they your beaches.

Edited March 2, 2015 by irishken

[Old Croc]

Patong Beach a year ago.

[craigt3365]

Wow. Quite the mess, eh? I haven't been to Patong beach since just after the Tsunami. When the beach was wide open. The above video looks like Pattaya's beach. Ugh. Seems a better system of management was desperately needed.

[Sharp]

Patong Beach a year ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?

Jezzzz.... What a mess it certainly looks like a different place now..... Definitely for the better....

[Old Croc]

Patong 2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiKjUbv75f4

[klfopera]

Patong Beach a year ago.

What? Is this supposed to horrify us? From time to time-especially during super moons-the high tides are very high. So what? There were a lot of people on the beach. This was because they liked it. What is wrong with that?

[2fishin2]

Patong Beach a year ago.

What? Is this supposed to horrify us? From time to time-especially during super moons-the high tides are very high. So what? There were a lot of people on the beach. This was because they liked it. What is wrong with that?

It shows alot of people on the beach and looks to me to be a crowded mess. The beaches do look alot better without all the chairs now

[aussieinphuket]

i went for a walk sunday at Layan beach starting where the old Lotus restaurant use to be situated and walked north towards where Nikki beach club now built..

firstly where Lotus use to be a small beach hutt has appeared selling food and drink with a few tables on the beach..

Laguna Resorts have been kind enough to allow a few vendors access to some private land they own down to the beach to erect some food and drink outlets....

but there were still many beach chairs and lounges encroaching onto the beach with umbrellas...

[Old Croc]

What? Is this supposed to horrify us? From time to time-especially during super moons-the high tides are very high. So what? There were a lot of people on the beach. This was because they liked it. What is wrong with that?

What a strange reaction to the posting of a YouTube video. I made no comment other than a timeline.

Are you easily horrified? Do you cry when sitting on beach sand like some of your ilk?

And why the need to babble about how tides work.

I posted the before and after videos to give posters some prospective on changes made to the beach. Form your own opinions, but try to keep it lucid!

[DLock]

Paradise Beach still has beach chairs and umbrellas up and down it's length.

So, if you really want to be 2 feet away from Serge and Alexi in their speedos and enjoy the smell of Piz Buin, this beach is for you.

Google will show you where Paradise beach is.

Enjoy.

[dotpoom]

Amazes me how people's lives can be taken over by a little thing like whether a beach has chairs or not?........with all the problems that are ongoing in the world today.

[csabo]

Patong Beach a year ago.

What? Is this supposed to horrify us? From time to time-especially during super moons-the high tides are very high. So what? There were a lot of people on the beach. This was because they liked it. What is wrong with that?

It shows alot of people on the beach and looks to me to be a crowded mess. The beaches do look alot better without all the chairs now

I agree! I thought the video was crazy! I think people go to the beach for different reasons. I go to enjoy the view and the feel of the sun and surf on my skin and even the smell of salty air. I have a bad back and shoulders and various aches and pains but, because I believe the loungers are an eyesore, I bring a small mat to lay on and a small umbrella to keep out of direct constant sun. I bring a frozen bottle of water and some fruit and take all my trash one when I leave. I give everyone lots of personal space and try not to infringe on anyone's similar enjoyment. Bottom line is that while the chairs would give me a heightened level of physical comfort, being on a beach depicted in the video would infuriate me and not be something I would want to be the cause of. The beach is a gift of nature to humanity. Let's try not to destroy it as we so often have the tendency to do. Oh, and try to keep your kids from screaming like they are being eaten alive by sharks for crissake.

[fforest1]

Patong Beach a year ago.

This looks great..This is exactly what I am looking for..This is how I want to spend my holiday on the beach..

All the chairs seem well used and every one seems to be enjoying themselves.

[ToddinChonburi]

So you have a bad back and want to sit in one of those crappy chairs.

[csabo]

So you have a bad back and want to sit in one of those crappy chairs.

Are you addressing me? If so, you should read my post again. I said the chair would be more comfortable but I choose not to use them to keep the beaches clear. I don't know why you refer to them as crappy though. I have seen them in use and while white pvc is not an expensive material nor is it aesthetically pleasing it does the job of supporting the human body quite well. Do you really expect some Thai beach worker to invest in teak to satisfy your standard? Are you as stupid as you are hostile? Your negativity and antagonistic attempt is a reflection of your image of self. Take notice. Improve.

[Lokie]

Very one sided vids put up there Old Croc? and the post re tides is spot on, only thing really was the Jetski's blocking the way near surfs edge, other than that it looked just like a busy beach to me. You say a year ago, funny I was there and don't remember it being that busy but then I only walk the beach each morning between 8.30 and 11.00, then shoot the breeze and have a dip before off home, anyway never mind. I would much prefer neat lines of sunbeds with parasols and tables than towles strewn all over the shop and silly shaded area zones. But everyone to their own, pity the poor tourists on vacation as they seem to want the loungers and beds, seems only the Paradise lost brigade want a barren empty utopian beach with not musch else to offer... that begs the question why they would then want to live/visit a busy holiday island then?

Here is a more balanced view of current situation and the reality of what most tourists actually want (I normally don't rate Phuket TVs shorts but they have also seemed to got this one covered about right and probably answers better the OPs question, with Kids in tow you need parasols and shade, beds and tables and the beach and is better for it (and cleaner)

Edited March 3, 2015 by Lokie

[surangw]

will it get to the point that you can't wear a large brimmed had for shade, or rest your head on your back pack while reclining on your towel ?

[Old Croc]

Very one sided vids put up there Old Croc? and the post re tides is spot on, only thing really was the Jetski's blocking the way near surfs edge, other than that it looked just like a busy beach to me. You say a year ago, funny I was there and don't remember it being that busy but then I only walk the beach each morning between 8.30 and 11.00, then shoot the breeze and have a dip before off home, anyway never mind. I would much prefer neat lines of sunbeds with parasols and tables than towles strewn all over the shop and silly shaded area zones. But everyone to their own, pity the poor tourists on vacation as they seem to want the loungers and beds, seems only the Paradise lost brigade want a barren empty utopian beach with not musch else to offer... that begs the question why they would then want to live/visit a busy holiday island then?

Here is a more balanced view of current situation and the reality of what most tourists actually want (I normally don't rate Phuket TVs shorts but they have also seemed to got this one covered about right and probably answers better the OPs question, with Kids in tow you need parasols and shade, beds and tables and the beach and is better for it (and cleaner)

Why are the two vids I posted "very one sided", Lokie? Are you suggesting they're faked or CGI?

The fact that I posted before and after shots of the beach would, by any definition, present a balanced viewpoint, even if you want to hide from any truth that's inconvenient for your opinions.

The first vid was taken early Feb 2014 and the second on 25 Jan 2015. (about a week after the very similar Phuket News Vid you posted). I didn't editorialize about these videos, so I'm a little curious as to why you, and others, are assuming I have specific opinions about them. The fact that you formulated different memories about the beach a year ago doesn't void the video. So I guess the only "funny" thing has something to do with yourself!

And, extra high tide or not, it doesn't void the fact that beds were placed right down to the high tide line.

You have your opinions, and are entitled to them, but don't try your silly spin with my balanced posts on this thread!

[connda]

Agree with member steelepulse. Zero enforcement of "no chairs, no umbrellas" at Kata Beach. Lots of people bringing their own with no hassle.

Kata also has a lot of trees along the back of the beach providing nice shade for those who don't like sitting in the sun.

Yes, zero hassle at Kata beach. Own chair and umbrella welcomed.

Ain't it grand when everyone can just get along together.

Commercialism: working (check)

Consumerism: working (check)

Individualism: working (check)

Limited government: working (check)

[CiaranO]

The beaches look ten times better than before. Keep the sunbeds and greedy vendors away.

For the would be tourists instead of complaining about it find a new destination to travel too and spend your big bucks there. You all seem so self absorbed and that this clearing was about you. It's not. This was the government deciding that public land is for everyone not just a few select people who decided to Lay claim to the beach fro their greedy selves.

[fforest1]

The beaches look ten times better than before. Keep the sunbeds and greedy vendors away.

For the would be tourists instead of complaining about it find a new destination to travel too and spend your big bucks there. You all seem so self absorbed and that this clearing was about you. It's not. This was the government deciding that public land is for everyone not just a few select people who decided to Lay claim to the beach fro their greedy selves.

Keep the sunbeds and greedy vendors away.

The beach vendors provided a service that was wanted by the tourist... It is a win win for every one

except the napalm dropping ,zero tolerance ,empty beach loving eco tourist..

This was the government deciding that public land is for everyone not just a few select people who decided to Lay claim to the beach fro their greedy selves-If this were true the jet-skis and parasails would be gone too....

Edited March 4, 2015 by fforest1