Phuket beach-wedding ban lifted
Phuket Gazette


These activities help to promote Phuket, Vice Governor Chokdee said. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: -- The Phuket ban on beach-wedding ceremonies was lifted earlier this week.

The ban was put in place earlier this year as the province attempted to prevent private entrepreneurs from staking public beach areas for profit making endeavors.

“Even though such events can bring publicity to Phuket, we cannot allow them to take place on our beaches, as that is public land,” said former Vice Governor Somkiet Sangkaosuttirak in March.

That policy has now shifted under the new leadership at Phuket Provincial Hall.

Vice Governor Chokdee Amornwat, who is responsible for establishing beach rules for the entire island, confirmed to the Phuket Gazette earlier this week that the ban was no longer applicable.

“As long as the photo shoot or ceremony doesn’t stake out a piece of the beach for private use, and such activities aren’t being held regularly by the same organizer as if they own the beach, then there should be no issues,” Vice Governor Chokdee said.

Full story: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Phuket-beachwedding-ban-lifted/62405?desktopversion


-- Phuket Gazette 2015-11-20

Flip-Flop. Flip-Flop. Flip-Flop. In two months- after a couple of dozen couples make plans for weddings, it'll change back to being banned.

I want my funeral to be on the beach.

It makes sense to, after at first getting very strict on the rules, relax them a bit.

But I really don't trust this vice governor, his actions so far seem to indicate a self interest.

Apparently no one told the multiple wedding photographers that can be seen daily at Nai harn about the prior ban. Loads of Chinese taking photos daily towards sunset.

It makes sense to, after at first getting very strict on the rules, relax them a bit.

But I really don't trust this vice governor, his actions so far seem to indicate a self interest.

Is there any official who isn't self interested? Seems to be a fairly standard attitude.

More proof, if it were needed, that all these reversals of policy, 'can sit anywhere now' 'can have weddings now' are merely an indication that the lowest of all high seasons is underway.

Apparently no one told the multiple wedding photographers that can be seen daily at Nai harn about the prior ban. Loads of Chinese taking photos daily towards sunset.

Making (wedding) photos at the beach was never prohibited.

It makes sense to, after at first getting very strict on the rules, relax them a bit.

But I really don't trust this vice governor, his actions so far seem to indicate a self interest.

Is there any official who isn't self interested? Seems to be a fairly standard attitude.

Strongly disagree with you.

Apparently no one told the multiple wedding photographers that can be seen daily at Nai harn about the prior ban. Loads of Chinese taking photos daily towards sunset.

Making (wedding) photos at the beach was never prohibited.

It always has been illegal and prohibited for the Chinese with no work permits to take photos day in and day out and charge their customers, just like it's always been illegal for these same photographers to take photos at Wat Chalong, Phuket Town etc. When the coffers are getting low, these illegal Chinese photographers get pinched and have to pay their way out.

Apparently no one told the multiple wedding photographers that can be seen daily at Nai harn about the prior ban. Loads of Chinese taking photos daily towards sunset.

Making (wedding) photos at the beach was never prohibited.

It always has been illegal and prohibited for the Chinese with no work permits to take photos day in and day out and charge their customers, just like it's always been illegal for these same photographers to take photos at Wat Chalong, Phuket Town etc. When the coffers are getting low, these illegal Chinese photographers get pinched and have to pay their way out.

Yes, that's working illegally.

When/if he day getting a WP or Temp WP comes easily, Thais will have high unemployment as skilled people start taking their jobs and obeying laws (or get kicked out of Thailand)

There is no incentive to obey laws in Thailand and that is one of the problems.... A few hundred THB fine just doesnt do it....

"attempted to prevent private entrepreneurs from staking public beach areas for profit making endeavors"

No room for umbrella and jet ski vendors ehh !

Where's TAT in bringing some down-home imag-inering to a golden opportunity to raise the image above a cheap,

package tour destination

I want my funeral to be on the beach.

I don't think they will allow a fire on the beach, that this taking things just too far.

As long as they ask me for permission and make a small donation it should be OK.

As long as they ask me for permission and make a small donation it should be OK.

But who gets/controls that 'small donation' - corruption caused this problem in the first place.

Got to replace the lost revenue from the beach chair vendors somehow.