Patong Mayor powerless over Phuket’s sand sun loungers

[Rhys]

Pass it over...dude... good one.

[Old Croc]

I was under the impression the new governor had stated that 10% zones were illegal.

 

http://www.thephuketnews.com/poll-does-phuket-need-more-virgin-beaches-59682.php#1skpAOjIs7EWwjew.97

[pieeyed]

What you do not get it? They do not need your money .

 

[jacko45k]

So can anyone come and just take sand or move it around?

Most Thais think they are above the law and it appears they are correct.

[gk10002000]

sorry but if I were in Phuket I wouldn't give them a penny for that crap.  I have been to Karon beach a few times and while I don't mind renting a lounge chair, I aint paying for this

[Stargeezr]

Mafias exist  in  many parts  of the world  until  the  countries,  use  what ever it

takes  to get  rid of  them.  Italy  is  not  a good  example to mention.

 Thailand has  to  some  day  in  the  future  if  it  wants  to  get  rid  of  a lot

of  its  corruption.  I  know  that  many other  areas  have  to get  serious  about

the  corruption  before  we see  any change,  but  I  will not  stick  out  my  neck

as to  all  the  people  I am talking  about...

Geezer

[chilli42]

22 hours ago, madmitch said:

“I do feel that the loungers destroy the beautiful scenery, but they are not really a problem as beachgoers still have 90% of the beach to use if they don’t want to use the loungers,” she said.

 

90% of the beach, excluding the part taken over by the jetski and parasailing operators. 

 

Actually I like the fact that the Thais have used some outside of the box thinking in this instance.

 

 

 

Agree, they do really step up the creative problem solving when it comes to scamming and breaking the law.  Sadly, it appears that spark of creative energy seems only reserved for this type of activity.

[Longstaff]

What's needed in all of this is some balance. Umbrellas in particular, and loungers, are a good thing in a world where there is heightened awareness and incidence of melanoma. Tourists looking for unspoiled tropical beaches need to avoid the hoards in a highly commercialised place like Phuket, though there are less developed beaches on the island. While there were issues (and I've experienced these myself) with beach vendors, they never the less provided a service sought by many. There's plenty of room on the big beaches like Patong and Karon for umbrellas and loungers and people selling food and beverages. and there's plenty of room on the island for some beaches to be totally natural; what is and was always required, is better management of this.

[NamKangMan]

I can see "The Annual Biggest Sand Sun Lounge Competition" being held here in the future.  It will become a tourist attraction, not to mention, Phuket will be the "hub" of  sand sun lounges.  

 

Amazing how they can move sand when there is a baht in it, but can't move sand to dig up some rusty poles sticking out of the sand.  

 

Patong Beach may become known as the beach with sand pimples on it.    

[DrDave]

This has been done to death, but I think that the vast majority of tourists and local expats would agree that beaches with amenities such as sun loungers, umbrellas and food/drink vendors would be desirable if (and only if) it was well-managed according to a strict set of rules.

 

The problem is that the vendors can't be trusted to operate within the rules, and more importantly, the local officials can't be trusted to enforce the rules and manage the beaches. Hence we have the "total ban" and 10% areas (which are now not well-managed either). 

[Psimbo]

Well it appears the powers that be have spoken now this went viral (funny how that happens) and the sand beds will be no more.  par for the course Somchai kicked the erse out of things and got too greedy- headrests probably would have been OK. Can people apply for a sand rental rebate now?

 

As usual I expect this will not percolated down to Kamala, which seems to get away with a lot of things on the beach (including the new beach Clubs being built).

[Psimbo]

7 hours ago, DrDave said:

This has been done to death, but I think that the vast majority of tourists and local expats would agree that beaches with amenities such as sun loungers, umbrellas and food/drink vendors would be desirable if (and only if) it was well-managed according to a strict set of rules.

 

The problem is that the vendors can't be trusted to operate within the rules, and more importantly, the local officials can't be trusted to enforce the rules and manage the beaches. Hence we have the "total ban" and 10% areas (which are now not well-managed either). 

This is the problem in a nutshell- give them an inch and they take the beach.

[madmitch]

10 hours ago, Psimbo said:

Well it appears the powers that be have spoken now this went viral (funny how that happens) and the sand beds will be no more.  par for the course Somchai kicked the erse out of things and got too greedy- headrests probably would have been OK. Can people apply for a sand rental rebate now?

 

As usual I expect this will not percolated down to Kamala, which seems to get away with a lot of things on the beach (including the new beach Clubs being built).

What may go viral is if the BIB and army are seconded to demolish the sand-beds.

 

Kicking down sandcastles is a perfect job for the country's law enforcement officers.

 

Personally I find it pathetic that a bit of ingenuity can't be applied.

[dageurreotype]

On 22/12/2016 at 3:20 PM, LivinginKata said:

Typical Thai 'cleverness' .... I  am surprised it took them so long. They have 10% of the beach to conduct business, quite honestly I see no problem with plastic loungers in that 10%. This sand lounger is even better solution.

 

Indeed, the Thai are very innovative when it comes to making a baht. You should see what they can do with ping pong balls.