PHUKET:
After months of indecision and false-steps in the creation of new beach
rules for Phuket, the governor yesterday announced a final solution to
the island’s beach chair drama.
“There will be slight
modifications to the 10 per cent zone system that has been in place up
to this point,” explained Governor Nisit Jansomwong. “Beachgoers will be
allowed to bring their own chairs, umbrellas and mats, while rental
operators will only be allowed to provide mats and umbrellas. However,
everyone must keep their beach furniture within the marked 10 per cent
zones.”
Rental operators cannot stake claims to any part of the
beach with unoccupied mats and will not be allowed to rent out chairs to
most visitors. Nonetheless, exceptions will be made, such as for the
elderly and disabled, confirmed Governor Nisit.
However, such a
loophole in the system is open for abuse, as the governor did not
address in the meeting who would be available to rent out chairs to the
disabled and elderly or who would be in charge of making the judgment
call of who is qualified.
Policies for other beach vendors were also laid out during the meeting.
“There
will be no food or cigarettes sold on the beach, while non-alcoholic
drinks will be allowed,” said Gov Nisit. “Vendors supplying other goods,
such as souvenirs, fireworks or Chinese lanterns will not be allowed.”
Masseuses
will be allowed to work within a designated area and there will be no
change in policy for operators running marine activities, such as
jet-skiing and parasailing, confirmed Gov Nisit.
The announced
plan was backed by months of research conducted by the Prince of
Songkhla University’s Phuket Beach Management Research team.
“Our
team, comprising professional, non-biased researchers, spoke with all
stakeholders before putting forth our suggestion,” said Pun
Thongchumnum, head of the research team.
The research identified
six major stakeholders: tourists, 75 per cent of those spoken to were
westerners; beach vendors of all types, as well as local tourism
authorities; locals, both those inland and in beach communities;
high-ranking members of the local governments; honorary consuls; and the
online community.
“Based on the interviews we conducted with
tourists arriving and departing Phuket, the number one priority was
clean beaches. This was followed by ‘pure nature’ and facilities, with
beach activities being the lowest priority,” said Dr Pun.
After
speaking with interested parties, the research group was able to divide
the facilities category into two groups: paid and unpaid.
“Most
wanted to be able to use umbrellas and sunbeds, while having access to
beverages – all as paid services. The most important unpaid service was
security,”
It has yet to be seen if the recently launched Phuket Beach Police units will fulfill this need (story
here).
The
study also found that many local people and vendors still disagreed
with the 10 per cent zoning system. However, researches suggested that
they coordinate their efforts to work together under the provincial
beach management committee. - See more at:
http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Beach-chairs-back-Phuket-sands/61832#ad-image-0
