After beach operators in Phuket sent complained to officials about being stripped of their livelihoods, Phuket town has decided to set a space aside for them. The Phuket News’ Nattha Thepbamrung has the story.
One-tenth of the space on beaches in Phuket Muang District will be set aside for beach mat and umbrella vendors, it was announced Tuesday.
The announcement was made at a follow-up meeting chaired by Vice-Governor Somkiet Sangkhaosutthirak after Governor Nisit Jansomwong approved the plan for beach operators to resume business in specific zones.
“Today we are focusing on 12 beaches around Muang District. The zoning will be planned by local authorities starting tomorrow,” Nisit said Tuesday.
He ordered that 10 percent of each beach will be open for mats and umbrellas, and will be strictly regulated by a municipal official who will check the area regularly.
The zone will be used by listed operators from 9am to 4pm.
The rental price for umbrellas and mats will be fixed for the entire island. The amount will be announced by this Friday.
Somkiet expressed his confidence in the new zoning scheme, saying that local operators will control it.
“Registered operators will work together to keep outsiders from working on the beach [illegally]. They recognise the importance of the new scheme and the importance of controlling it,” he said.
Photo: Yuxuan Wang
Reader Interactions