Grand (re)opening of Surin Beach announced

[rooster59]

Grand (re)opening of Surin Beach announced

Kongleaphy Keam

PHUKET: After years of delays and last minute attempts to save illegal beach businesses from the wrecking ball, Surin Beach has finally been restored to its ‘natural’ state. In what seems to be a rather quick rise from the rubble, officials have announced the beach’s grand opening set for June 9.

It is now being called the ‘Beach of Honor’ or Rajabhakti Park, following the honorable visit by HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1959. “The opening next month is to celebrate the success of the beach management project in Phuket in addition to leading up to Surin’s ‘Beach of Honor’ status,” stated Phuket Vice Governor Chokdee Amornwat.

A number of projects are to be presented such as a photo contest and exhibition in the theme of royal duties in modern-day and historical Phuket, a Phuket gastronomy food contest, an exhibition and information booth for sail boats, local sports, cultural local performances, and many other activities to honor the King.

The ‘Love the beach community’ project to take care of all beaches will also be presented and launched at the same event.

Full story: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Grand-reopening-Surin-Beach-announced/63914?desktopversion#ad-image-0

-- Phuket Gazette 2016-05-22

[Pinot]

After all the noise and delay, it's finally happening. Surin will be the best beach in Phuket. A huge positive change and PM Prayut deserves the credit.

[Krataiboy]

So what became of Thai vendors and their families who lost their livelihoods when they were forcibly cleared off this beach? Or doesn't this matter, so long as tourists have a "pristine" strip of burning sand on which to lie with only a towel for protection?

One suspects an awful lot of people are going to end up fighting for space under the palm tree shown in the publicity photograph because there are no beach umbrellas and deck chairs, let alone someone on hand to provide a cooling drink or a snack..

Under the Love the Beach project, are all the tourist beaches on Phuket going to end up as naturally spartan as this one? Or will some be exempted to provide the kind of facilities - including activities such as jet skiing and windsurfing, commonly available at other Thai resorts and popular tourist destinations around the world.

If not, paradise could come at a hefty price in terms of reduced tourist revenue and job losses for local people.

Edited May 22, 2016 by Krataiboy

[LivinginKata]

So what became of Thai vendors and their families who lost their livelihoods wen they were cleared off this beach? Or doesn't this matter, so long as tourists have a "pristine" strip of burning sand to squat on with only a towel for protection.

One suspects an awful lot of people are going to end up fighting for space under the palm tree in the photograph because there are no beach umbrellas and deck chairs and nowhere handy to buy a cooling drink or a snack..

Under the Love the Beach project, are all the tourist beaches on Phuket going to end up as naturally spartan as this one? Or will it still be possible on some of them to enjoy the kind of facilities routinely available at popular tourist destinations around the world.

If not, "paradise" could well come at a price - reduced visitor numbers.

Valid post -but these 'poor Thai vendors' were operating their business on the King's land and paying illegal payments to officials to maintain that business. I have no sympathy for them ... start another business in a legal 'shop', pay legal rent, and pay all the legal taxes.

[sendintheclowns]

It just got out of hand, up to the point where certain foreign owned businesses were paying tea money, so as to gain access for their high end guests. Then, the screw got turned, so that certain areas became exclusive. I wouldn't worry about all the Phuket beaches going 'pristine' . There are still too many crooks in the tourist industry there. Surin Beach was a delight, back in the day of Divers Bar.

[johnatong]

So what became of Thai vendors and their families who lost their livelihoods when they were forcibly cleared off this beach? Or doesn't this matter, so long as tourists have a "pristine" strip of burning sand on which to lie with only a towel for protection?

One suspects an awful lot of people are going to end up fighting for space under the palm tree shown in the publicity photograph because there are no beach umbrellas and deck chairs, let alone someone on hand to provide a cooling drink or a snack..

Under the Love the Beach project, are all the tourist beaches on Phuket going to end up as naturally spartan as this one? Or will some be exempted to provide the kind of facilities - including activities such as jet skiing and windsurfing, commonly available at other Thai resorts and popular tourist destinations around the world.

If not, paradise could come at a hefty price in terms of reduced tourist revenue and job losses for local people.

Open the link and have a look at a World Famous, very popular beach.

Where are the "facilities" that people like you crave and claim to be "essential" to a good "beach experience" ?

Seems Thailand really does need more "Quality" expats/visitors

http://www.australia.com/en/places/nsw/nsw-bondi-beach.html

[fester the benevolent]

It just got out of hand, up to the point where certain foreign owned businesses were paying tea money, so as to gain access for their high end guests. Then, the screw got turned, so that certain areas became exclusive. I wouldn't worry about all the Phuket beaches going 'pristine' . There are still too many crooks in the tourist industry there. Surin Beach was a delight, back in the day of Divers Bar.

Did Divers Bar pay all the correct taxes, license fees etc in order to be allowed to operate?

[dageurreotype]

So what became of Thai vendors and their families who lost their livelihoods when they were forcibly cleared off this beach? Or doesn't this matter?

No. It doesn't. Rather alike the bar tarts, how did they make a living before?

[gamini]

So what became of Thai vendors and their families who lost their livelihoods when they were forcibly cleared off this beach? Or doesn't this matter, so long as tourists have a "pristine" strip of burning sand on which to lie with only a towel for protection?

One suspects an awful lot of people are going to end up fighting for space under the palm tree shown in the publicity photograph because there are no beach umbrellas and deck chairs, let alone someone on hand to provide a cooling drink or a snack..

Under the Love the Beach project, are all the tourist beaches on Phuket going to end up as naturally spartan as this one? Or will some be exempted to provide the kind of facilities - including activities such as jet skiing and windsurfing, commonly available at other Thai resorts and popular tourist destinations around the world.

If not, paradise could come at a hefty price in terms of reduced tourist revenue and job losses for local people.

Open the link and have a look at a World Famous, very popular beach.

Where are the "facilities" that people like you crave and claim to be "essential" to a good "beach experience" ?

Seems Thailand really does need more "Quality" expats/visitors

http://www.australia.com/en/places/nsw/nsw-bondi-beach.html

nothing is allowed on beaches in Australia, New Zealand and many other places. Guess the OP has never been outside oif Thailand!

[sendintheclowns]

Divers Bar is owned by his wife, a fine lady from the local BangTao community. She still makes the best deep fried chicken around ( marinated overnight in her secret sauce) and available on the high street of Kamala, early on certain mornings. Since BangTao has a significant Muslim community, I'd imagine that Diver would certainly have needed a hard- to-get beer licence.

Diver, by the way is notorious for hauling fools out of the rip tides, essentially saving their sorry asses, over the years. Possibly relatives of yours, then?

[marcusd]

It is now being called the ‘Beach of Honor’ or Rajabhakti Park, following the honorable visit by HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1959.

A bit late in the thinking to name this place? So they have another 50 odd years of catching up to do.

[marcusd]

So what became of Thai vendors and their families who lost their livelihoods when they were forcibly cleared off this beach? Or doesn't this matter, so long as tourists have a "pristine" strip of burning sand on which to lie with only a towel for protection?

One suspects an awful lot of people are going to end up fighting for space under the palm tree shown in the publicity photograph because there are no beach umbrellas and deck chairs, let alone someone on hand to provide a cooling drink or a snack..

Under the Love the Beach project, are all the tourist beaches on Phuket going to end up as naturally spartan as this one? Or will some be exempted to provide the kind of facilities - including activities such as jet skiing and windsurfing, commonly available at other Thai resorts and popular tourist destinations around the world.

If not, paradise could come at a hefty price in terms of reduced tourist revenue and job losses for local people.

People I would expect, go to a beach to see the sand and trees and of course - the sea. Not ice creams, food, massage and what nots that are flooded all over Thia beaches making them highly undesirable and filthy.

A good move to clean up.

It is not like you are far from anything to get a drink or something else.

Poor Thai vendors? Welcome to the world. Everyone is poorer now.

[johnatong]

So what became of Thai vendors and their families who lost their livelihoods when they were forcibly cleared off this beach? Or doesn't this matter, so long as tourists have a "pristine" strip of burning sand on which to lie with only a towel for protection?

One suspects an awful lot of people are going to end up fighting for space under the palm tree shown in the publicity photograph because there are no beach umbrellas and deck chairs, let alone someone on hand to provide a cooling drink or a snack..

Under the Love the Beach project, are all the tourist beaches on Phuket going to end up as naturally spartan as this one? Or will some be exempted to provide the kind of facilities - including activities such as jet skiing and windsurfing, commonly available at other Thai resorts and popular tourist destinations around the world.

If not, paradise could come at a hefty price in terms of reduced tourist revenue and job losses for local people.

Open the link and have a look at a World Famous, very popular beach.

Where are the "facilities" that people like you crave and claim to be "essential" to a good "beach experience" ?

Seems Thailand really does need more "Quality" expats/visitors

http://www.australia.com/en/places/nsw/nsw-bondi-beach.html

nothing is allowed on beaches in Australia, New Zealand and many other places. Guess the OP has never been outside oif Thailand!

He has been to Spain where in some places(Benidorm?) you could not place a matchstick between the brollies -------------It is his idea of heaven so let him return to it but let us in Thailand TRY to emulate the unspoiled beauty of the Oz, NZ and other beaches -----------Please

[fester the benevolent]

Divers Bar is owned by his wife, a fine lady from the local BangTao community. She still makes the best deep fried chicken around ( marinated overnight in her secret sauce) and available on the high street of Kamala, early on certain mornings. Since BangTao has a significant Muslim community, I'd imagine that Diver would certainly have needed a hard- to-get beer licence.

Diver, by the way is notorious for hauling fools out of the rip tides, essentially saving their sorry asses, over the years. Possibly relatives of yours, then?

My my, a little touchy perhaps?

You said "back in the day of Divers Bar" which implied that it is no longer operating, hence my question.

Now, let's move on to your next pearl of wisdom that Bang Tao has a significant Muslim community: Stop the presses but the whole island does, there's no need to panic though so calm yourself and stop throwing red herrings around!

Next up: alcohol and tobacco licenses are not in the slightest hard to get provided that one's establishment meets all the requirements, I think it is about 100 Baht plus stamp duty but don't quote me on that because I always delegate that sort of thing to others to sort out.

As for the life-saving heroics I can only say that when my relatives last visited me here circa 2002 such selfless acts of mercy were thankfully not needed as it would have been a hassle to rush off to Bang Tao where you state Divers is to get somebody to pull "their sorry asses" out of the water at Surin Beach which is the topic under discussion.

/here are some lovely parting gifts for you and thanks for playing.

[Rimmer]

A flame has been removed

[Deli]

And now it honors stray dogs, comfort free sitting in the sand, debris washed on shore and the absence of tourists.

Well done, guys !