Phuket

aussie dollar · #1 12-01-2005, 03:45

Surin beach draws in the visitors
BANKOK POST 11/1/2005

WASSANA NANUAM

Phuket _ Beach chairs and parasols have been banned on Patong and Kamala beaches since the tsunamis, but nearby Surin beach is now a riot of colour with hundreds of beach umbrellas set out to draw tourists.

Surin beach was less affected by the disaster and is not subject to the new restrictions, so is attracting more visitors.

Surin beach is a few kilometres away from Patong and Kamala beaches where beach chairs and umbrellas are banned under the plan to rejuvenate the area.

But the supply is limited as people with businesses on the beach scramble to replace the 2,000-odd beach chairs and umbrellas they say were destroyed or swept away.

``I bought new umbrellas for 550 baht each from downtown. I could only get 42 of them, although I wanted about 80 because all of mine were swept away by the waves,'' said Somsook Maha-ood, 56.

``Some could be fixed, but most of them must be replaced with new ones.

``That's why their colours are so bright.''

There were only 40 beach umbrellas remaining, and the price had gone up to 600 baht each, when Pradab Oliyanont, 44, went to replace his damaged and destroyed stock.

Beach chairs and umbrellas on Surin beach now rent out for 50 baht each per day. Patong beach used to charge 100 baht a time.

Carlo Garavaglia, 61, from Switzerland said he moved to Surin beach after seeing there were no umbrellas on Patong beach.

``I love Phuket. I love the beautiful beach and love to see the colours of beach umbrellas where I can lay out all day long,'' he said.

He visits Phuket every year and had been there for more than a month when the waves struck.

``I saw the wave, but I did not run away,'' the Swiss tourist said. ``I waited and saw and shouted, `Come to me'. But I was very lucky that it did not. So, I'm still alive and promise to be here every year.''

jimholio · #2 12-01-2005, 23:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by aussie dollar

Surin beach draws in the visitors
BANKOK POST 11/1/2005

WASSANA NANUAM

Phuket _ Beach chairs and parasols have been banned on Patong and Kamala beaches since the tsunamis, but nearby Surin beach is now a riot of colour with hundreds of beach umbrellas set out to draw tourists.

Hmm Beach chars and parasols banned? for how long? and why?

LivinLOS · #3 13-01-2005, 00:01

They claim to be trying to clear the beach of them in the interests of a more peaceful and beautiful beach.. They did this in Khao Lak before the waves.

I dont see it lasting but I think zoning some areas as beach chair free may be a good idea.

jimholio · #4 13-01-2005, 02:07

Well doing that in Patong and Kamala sounds stupid to me, would make more sense if they did that to beaches like Laem Sing etc. I for one would prefer a chair and a parasol on the beach, or atleast at the beaches where there are 1000's and 1000's of tourists anyways.

tintin · #5 13-01-2005, 02:14

Kata same-same?

I don't understand! First you need some shadow on the beach, 2 nd some people have to live from this!

Weird!

Nicke · #6 13-01-2005, 02:33

I agree beach chairs and umbrellas is needed but I also have to say that the beach is VERY BEAUTIFUL at the moment without all beach chairs, umbrellas, jetskis and speed boats.

Bring your towel and lay directly on the beach... well, shadow may be needed.

jimholio · #7 13-01-2005, 04:11

I dont have a sensitive skin, but i imagine alot of people will have to bring their own parasols to the beach now.

Rex7777 · #8 13-01-2005, 06:33

I used to live at the beach in California and there were no permanent beach chairs or umbrellas. Everyone just brought their own towels and, if they wanted a beach chair, brought their own. You could buy little folding aluminum frame chairs at the drugstore. Whenever I wanted to lay out at the beach, I just brought my own towel and beach chair.

Rex

Barathea · #9 13-01-2005, 08:30

Unfortunately I don't have olive skin. And as I am past the sunburn is
good before a tan stage (not to mention skin cancer) (( which I just did ))
believe it or not this is a huge issue for me.

Are there tree shaded grass areas at these beaches ?

If not, and same situation in 7 weeks when planned to hit Phuket will
have to change to Samui

Would appreciate if BM's would advise if situation changes in next 4-5
weeks

jimholio · #10 13-01-2005, 08:46

You will still find beach chairs, just not at Patong and Kamala..

But tbh, i didnt like patong beach much anyways, id much rather go to some of the beaches that doesnt have a huge hotel complex right next to it.

Like Laem sing and hmm there is another beach before that one that you have to walk down from the road on a small path, well both Laem sing and this beach you have to do that but they are totaly beautiful

aussie dollar · #11 13-01-2005, 09:12

livininlos has the right idea
"I dont see it lasting but I think zoning some areas as beach chair free may be a good idea"

keep the beach a bit clear and also have an area where its o/k so
some money can be made by the locals

would hate to have to bring my own lounge and umbrella might put me
over my weight allowance !!!

could not a koisk near the beach be set up where u hire them out so there not on beach all the time ?

LivinLOS · #12 13-01-2005, 11:21

I cant even remember the last time I went to Patong beach (probably with the girls to eat barbeque at the north end under the small shade trees)..

If I ever want beach I always ride the couple of Km over to Paradise beach (the dirt Rd through the jungle) great beach.. Shaded areas and trees.. good resturant.. Changing rooms and shower / toilets.. Usually very quiet (low season you can be alone).. No touts or hassles.. and a good reef with fish and coral..

Perfect and so close..

barflyrex · #13 13-01-2005, 12:43

I personally love the look of all those umbrellas, not to mention the shade they give on those sunny phuket days. It looks so exotic and brings so much colour to the beach (bit like a thai girl I once meet).
The last thing I want to see is "BYO beach equipment", I like the way it was, "seat for you?".......'yes thanks"......."100 baht"......."thank you", and a great day is had at the beach.

cheers B.F Rex.

geespot · #14 13-01-2005, 14:00

Can you tell me where Patong Beach is?

Can you go there at night, as I only go out when its dark

G

LivinLOS · #15 13-01-2005, 14:37

Sure you can go at night..

Its where you go and pick up those nice tall ladies with the strong muscular shoulders

didnt you tell me thats where you get those cheap great *******s G ??

ancientmariner · #16 13-01-2005, 14:55

The thai government has plans to redo the beach front area, regulate amount of beach chairs and parasols, expand the width of beach walk by 3m, and demolish any structures within 15m from the beach-line.

rockstar! · #17 13-01-2005, 15:22

exactly Gee, I went only 1 afternoon in all for my trips!!

tintin · #18 13-01-2005, 15:27

In Kata the beach is very large and the chairs are only on 1 and in peak two lines, so that does bother less then some chairs put all over everywhere!

Mac · #19 13-01-2005, 16:04

Nicke
Can you bring your own Beach Umbrella or is that banned too. Perhaps an enterprising trader will store the beach umbrellas and chairs so that people can "buy" them for the day - just like ski hire on the slopes.
Mac

Whazzzup · #20 14-01-2005, 01:47

Thursday, January 13, 2005

TAT submits B550m plan for Patong Beach

PHUKET CITY: Architects commissioned by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) yesterday presented a plan to rebuild Patong Beach, at a cost of 550 million baht, to make the popular tourist attraction safe from any future tsunami while at the same time preserving its beauty.

TAT Deputy Governor for Marketing Santichai Euajongprasit presented the plan, with architects from SPA Architect Co Ltd explaining details, to Phuket Governor Udomsak Uswarangkura, Phuket Tourist Association President Pattanapong Aikwanich and Patong Mayor Pian Keesin at the Governor’s Office.

The plan includes growing large trees along the beachfront and creating sand dunes to impede the progress of tsunamis heading for the resort town, as well as 10 emergency assembly points along the beach where people can seek shelter within 15 minutes of being warned that a tidal wave is coming.

After Governor Udomsak questioned the team as to whether the sand dunes and plants would survive the downpours and turbulent seas of the annual monsoon seasons, the architects said the plan, which was drawn up in only one week, would be modified to account for the elements.

The plan designated four areas for different leisure activities:

- one exclusively for sunbathing;

- a sports area with a playground;

- a zone from Soi Bangla to Sawasdirak Rd for restaurants and nightlife venues;

- a public park with a large pavilion for concerts and weddings;

A fifth area, the coastline along the beach road from Phra Barami Rd to Kalim Beach would be left undisturbed to preserve its natural beauty.

The plan advocated that no buildings be within 15 meters of the beach, and that all power and telephone cables be buried.

It also called for sun loungers to be banned from the beach, replaced by plastic mats for sunbathers to lay on, and for the number of beach umbrellas to limited to 1,500, compared with the estimated 7,000 that were on the beach before the tsunami.

Mayor Pian agreed with the idea of limiting the number of beach umbrellas. “This plan will return Patong Beach to its previous beautiful condition, and show the world that this is beach to visit.

“Local people will benefit from this plan, which will stimulate more tourists to visit [Patong],” he said.

If the budget is approved quickly, the project could, it is estimated, be completed by the end of this year.

“I will present this plan to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who will visit Phuket next week, for approval and to allocate the budget,” Gov Udomsak said

------------------------------------------------------------------------

There you go ..... all your questions answered concerning the beach scene and even a bit more info. Now we only have to wait for the approval

Whazzzup · #21 14-01-2005, 01:52

and Ricky Martin is allready here for the first concert.

jimholio · #22 14-01-2005, 02:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whazzzup

“Local people will benefit from this plan, which will stimulate more tourists to visit [Patong],” he said.

I very much doubt that, unless with benefit they mean unemployment.

Whazzzup · #23 14-01-2005, 03:16

Like you, I didn't liked the Patong beach scene myself to much, so if I went I always moved to Nai Harn. If you ask me the beach scene in Patong can only improve from this. At least they're getting rid of those powerlines.

I only think renting a beach chair with parassol will be a bit more expensive for the day. So be it.

Nicke · #24 14-01-2005, 04:36

I think Patong beach was too commercial in the past, of all that embrellas and chairs in the past I never saw it was more than 30% occupied.

So decreasing the number of beach chairs and umbrelleas available will only make the beach more beautiful, but still offer tourists these services.

Jetskis is fun but should only be available at a small part of the beach, not along all beach. I always wondered when next accident would happen since people use the jetskis too close to bathing and swimming tourists all the time.

Now we have the chance to make Patong beach a nice beach.

dawsey · #25 14-01-2005, 04:49

To keep the "white skinned" farangs on Patong beach,they will have to supply umbrellas or for a start,families which the TAT are trying to encourage,will desert in droves.Who is going to roast on the beach if sunshades are not available.Not me.I'll go to a beach that still has them.As Nicke has suggested,a sectioned part of the beach just for chairs and umbrellas is a good idea. Talk about shooting themselves in the foot