Phuket talks move towards beach business compromises

[webfact]

Phuket talks move towards beach business compromises
Nattha Thepbamrung


Mayor Arun Soros (right): 'Normally, we don’t allow vendors to work on the beach.'

PHUKET: -- Officials have attended a chain of meetings over the past week to discuss the businesses affected by the beach clean-up and ways they can help out-of-work people.

The first meeting was on Wednesday (November 5) and focused on people who used to be in the three beach jobs most affected in Thalang District: beach chair rental, beach massage and food and beverage sales.

“First of all, we discussed the masseurs. There are 259 masseurs registered (with the various OrBorTor in Thalang) and the hotels we have cooperated with have agreed to let them work in the hotels,” said Vice-Governor Jamroen Thippayapongtada, chairing the meeting.

He announced that a limited number of vendors will be allowed to work on the beaches – a total of 80. “They must be residents from the area only and must be registered with the OrBorTor,” he said.

Beach chair renters will not, however, be allowed back on the sand.

“All the beach chair operators and masseuses have agreed except for those at Surin Beach because the area along the beach has a NorSorLor [community land] paper. We are still waiting for a decision by the court on this,” said the Vice-Governor.

In the meeting, the chief executive of Cherng Talay OrBorTor, Ma’ann Samran, said he felt there was no need for chairs on the beach because “no one has been affected by the clean-up”. The beach has to be purely for public use, he added.

That statement resulted in a call for a protest by beach chair operators, though this was cancelled when it was pointed out that this would contravene martial law, which is still in force across Thailand.

On Thursday (November 6), officials tried to broker an agreement for the beaches in Muang District, such as Rawai, Nai Harn, Kata and Karon.

“Normally, we don’t allow vendors to work on the beach,” said Arun Soros, Mayor of Rawai.

“I want to focus on the masseurs and beach chair operators because they are the ones who are suffering.

“The masseuses are aware they are welcome to work in the hotels, but because they are used to working for themselves, they may not want to.

“Besides, we don’t have enough hotels in the area to help all the 209 masseurs from Rawai and Nai Harn beaches,” said Mr Arun.

He suggested used a grove of casuarina trees (which also holds a Nor Sor Lor land paper), near Nai Harn Beach, for the masseuses to work in temporarily. The idea was accepted by the other officials in the meeting and is will be taken into consideration.

Despite the Army-ordered beach clearance, Mr Arun said umbrellas are allowed on the beach temporarily and mats or mattresses can be rented or sold by local vendors.

However, masseuses in Kata and Karon have asked to be allowed to stay on the beach.

Muang District Chief Pakpoom Intarasuwan said in the meeting that many hotels in Kata and Karon are welcoming local masseuses to work for them, but the masseuses have all rejected the idea.

“We have done this job for three decades,” said Thanyarat Klimanchevski, a representative of Kata and Karon masseurs. “We do not want to work for a hotel. Normally we get B400 per hour, but if we moved to a hotel I don’t think we would get the same wage. We need help from the authorities to set up a space for us.”

Summing up the ideas from the meeting, V/Gov Jamroen said, “There will be no beach vendors left in [Muang District] – only masseuses and beach chair operators.

“Masseuses will work in an area specified by the local OrBorTor. The OrBorTor will rent out umbrellas, while local operators will be allowed to sell or rent mattresses or mats.”

These will not be set out on the beach but must be carried there by customers. “They are allowed to rent or sell cushions in the booth set up by the local authority, while beach massage services can also be booked at the same booth,” said V/Gov Jamroen.

The final meeting, about beaches in Kathu, took place Friday November 7, and was chaired by Muang District Chief Mr Pakpoom.

“Having no beach chairs available on the beach has created problems. Tourists have started putting up their own umbrellas which they have taken from hotels, and we cannot do anything about that,” said Chalermluck Kebsab, Patong mayor.

“The area for beach chairs and massage services will be smaller and limited in specified zones. There will be more public space managed by the local authority.

Yesterday (November 10) Palat Jantarasopin, chief of Phuket Tourism Operator Association, told The Phuket News, “The final decisions will be presented at another meeting this week.

“It’s great that the authorities have acknowledged the need to help the people affected by the beach clean-up,” he said.

On Saturday (November 8), Governor Nisit Jansomwong, posted on his Facebook a capture from his Line account, stating that an application by the Provincial Government for the beach to be converted to local use is now with the Supreme Court.

Mr Palat said that if the Marine Department and the Land Department approve the use of the beach for their own businesses, “they can have their jobs back illegally.”

“Normally this would not be considered illegal because the workers do not build anything permanent on the beach.”

Pol Col ML Pattanachak Chakkrabhan, superintendent of Kamala Police said he agreed with the idea, “There are two types of law: unchangeable and changeable. We will present the idea to the Phuket Police Commander.”

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-talks-move-towards-beach-business-compromises-49575.php


-- Phuket News 2014-11-11

[terryp]

just as expected , too much money being lost to corrupt officials, this place will never change the "Hub Of same same but different"

“There are two types of law: unchangeable and changeable.

Maybe according to the thai police ..but laws are actually changed after much discusstion by Parliament (beaches are not business areas they are for public use)

Edited November 11, 2014 by terryp

[steelepulse]

No surprise here. I'd love to hear their plan on regulating the creep and encroachment that we all know will happen.

Does the NCPO, who ordered the beaches cleared, not have a say in this, or are they being disregarded and the local govt's moving forward to bring back these nice earners?

[schlog]

Like usually hot air. We and the sleeping women in the middle of the picture know already all beachbusiness will be back on the beach.....sad but only a question of time.

[Pinot]

Let's not forget, there is no one suffering here. There is no unemployment on Phuket. Jobs are readily available. Some jobs are no longer available because they were illegal jobs that operated on public property. They have to find new jobs which they could do in a couple of hours.

This has to be the quote of the year:

"Pol Col ML Pattanachak Chakkrabhan, superintendent of Kamala Police said he agreed with the idea, “There are two types of law: unchangeable and changeable. We will present the idea to the Phuket Police Commander.”

Too much tea money lost with the crackdown. One can only hope the NCPO holds their ground or it all slides back into the cesspool of corruption it was before.

[vision2014]

Sigh...and I was hoping Pattaya would be the next beach area where the Chair vendors were removed.

[hkt83100]

The lady in the center of the picture seems to be VERY interested in the discussion.

[pookiki]

This should have been a consideration before a decision was made to clear the beaches. There are many workers who have been caught in the cross-fire of reclaiming the beaches from illegal encroachment. Of additional interest is that there is still no news on the arrest or charges being brought against those individuals involved in these illegal encroachment activities.

[keestha]

Beach chair renters will not, however, be allowed back on the sand.

The OrBorTor will rent out umbrellas, while local operators will be allowed to sell or rent mattresses or mats.”

What is the point of allowing mattresses/mats and not chairs? Maybe to make it easier for tourists walking down the beach to step over the relaxing tourists.

[monkeycountry]

How does the police know which laws are changeable and which are unchangeable? When laws are published in the Royal Gazette, I do not recall them listed as changeable/unchangeable?

[iReason]

“We have done this job for three decades,” said Thanyarat Klimanchevski, a representative of Kata and Karon masseurs."

Illegally.

And disregarding the King.

“We do not want to work for a hotel. Normally we get B400 per hour, but if we moved to a hotel I don’t think we would get the same wage."

You don't want to work legally.

You prefer to ignore laws that the rest abide by.

"We need help from the authorities to set up a space for us.”

You flaunt the laws, now you want the authorities to help you??

[steelepulse]

How does the police know which laws are changeable and which are unchangeable? When laws are published in the Royal Gazette, I do not recall them listed as changeable/unchangeable?

It's the Golden Rule.

He who has the gold makes the rules.

[Wombat6]

How does the police know which laws are changeable and which are unchangeable? When laws are published in the Royal Gazette, I do not recall them listed as changeable/unchangeable?

If they are going to be flexible perhaps they can allow for farangs to work and earn some more money to spend in Thailand

[Ulic]

Unfortunately the businesses will be back, just regulate the numbers, collect beach rent to keep the beaches clean

and pay for more lifeguards and equipment ie. not have the money go to corrupt officials.

[Balance]

The folks should be involved in the rest of the reconciliation and reform processes in the country. Then there would be quick progress to return happiness.

[martinhp]

No surprise here. I'd love to hear their plan on regulating the creep and encroachment that we all know will happen.

Does the NCPO, who ordered the beaches cleared, not have a say in this, or are they being disregarded and the local govt's moving forward to bring back these nice earners?

Ncpo <removed> don't have a say as not elected

And the hole lot is missed by the tourist there now are forced to stay at the hotels with pools who you think own those and haw much do the charge for drinks and food

Yes they can just go out (in swim suit) which is not wise here according to the <removed> boss

Before you write again think about who the most Thais gonna elect and who is removing them every time

That's a no brainier so even you can get in

[Felt 35]

Its totally ridiculous, Phuket Government have problems over their heads with crime, drugs and traffic congestion all over the island and the first and best thing the army can do is to move away some harmless masseurs and beach chairs.

The signal given is; we do not really want to change anything.

[MaiChai]

400 baht per hour is good money in Thailand. No wonder they don't want to give it up!

[DrDave]

“We have done this job for three decades,” said Thanyarat Klimanchevski, a representative of Kata and Karon masseurs. “We do not want to work for a hotel. Normally we get B400 per hour, but if we moved to a hotel I don’t think we would get the same wage. We need help from the authorities to set up a space for us.”

Hmmm, I think a lot of people could make more money if they could conduct their business on prime rent-free real estate, but sadly, they need to rent shophouses and pay taxes.

[iReason]

“We have done this job for three decades,” said Thanyarat Klimanchevski, a representative of Kata and Karon masseurs. “We do not want to work for a hotel. Normally we get B400 per hour, but if we moved to a hotel I don’t think we would get the same wage. We need help from the authorities to set up a space for us.”

Hmmm, I think a lot of people could make more money if they could conduct their business on prime rent-free real estate, but sadly, they need to rent shophouses and pay taxes.

[keestha]

“We have done this job for three decades,” said Thanyarat Klimanchevski, a representative of Kata and Karon masseurs. “We do not want to work for a hotel. Normally we get B400 per hour, but if we moved to a hotel I don’t think we would get the same wage. We need help from the authorities to set up a space for us.”

Hmmm, I think a lot of people could make more money if they could conduct their business on prime rent-free real estate, but sadly, they need to rent shophouses and pay taxes.

The vast majority of small Thai owned businesses don't pay any taxes. Plus the masseurs and so on paid to be allowed to do business on the beach.

[DrDave]

“We have done this job for three decades,” said Thanyarat Klimanchevski, a representative of Kata and Karon masseurs. “We do not want to work for a hotel. Normally we get B400 per hour, but if we moved to a hotel I don’t think we would get the same wage. We need help from the authorities to set up a space for us.”

Hmmm, I think a lot of people could make more money if they could conduct their business on prime rent-free real estate, but sadly, they need to rent shophouses and pay taxes.

The vast majority of small Thai owned businesses don't pay any taxes. Plus the masseurs and so on paid to be allowed to do business on the beach.

Paid whom?

[steelepulse]

“We have done this job for three decades,” said Thanyarat Klimanchevski, a representative of Kata and Karon masseurs. “We do not want to work for a hotel. Normally we get B400 per hour, but if we moved to a hotel I don’t think we would get the same wage. We need help from the authorities to set up a space for us.”

Hmmm, I think a lot of people could make more money if they could conduct their business on prime rent-free real estate, but sadly, they need to rent shophouses and pay taxes.

The vast majority of small Thai owned businesses don't pay any taxes. Plus the masseurs and so on paid to be allowed to do business on the beach.

Paid whom?

The corrupt and arrested mayor of Kata Karon as per his detailed notes of who gets what slice of the beach in his district.