Phuket officials are calling for a clean-up of Karon Beach, with a focus on reducing the number of umbrellas lining the beach.
Officials say they’re concerned about the long-term impact on tourism. Provincial governor Sophon Suwannarat chaired a meeting yesterday where officials discussed regulating beach umbrellas at Karon, Kata and Patong beaches.
It’s not the first time Phuket officials have taken on the beach vendors with their cheap, plastic sun lounges and tatty old umbrellas.
But this time, it was agreed the 3 beaches would be “cleaned up”, which will include limiting the number of beach umbrellas and sun lounges available. Sophon noted that Patong Beach has managed to restrict umbrellas and sun lounges to 10% of the beach, but there is no such restriction in place at Karon. (We should note that the 10% of the beach has been very liberally applied over the years)
The governor went on to say Karon Beach is “overcrowded” with umbrellas and lounges, which he says block public walkways and risks driving away beachgoers.
His opinion is shared by the Vice President of Prince of Songkla University, who says beach visitors don’t like seeing too many umbrellas and lounges. Phan Thongchumnum suggests that instead, these should be limited to a maximum of 10% of the total beach area.
According to the governor, zoning will be carried out on Karon Beach in order to carry out this suggestion. Sophon adds that the measure will require the cooperation of local businesses to remove some umbrellas and sun lounges and dismantle “eyesore” billboards.
Meanwhile, Sutjapol Thongsom from the Phuket Chamber of Commerce says local authorities will have to comply with measures aimed at cleaning up the island’s beaches or face legal action. He says the measures are essential to avoid negative consequences for the island’s tourism industry.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
