Breaking News: Phuket beach vendors push back at military attempt to clear Patong Beach

PHUKET: More than 100 Phuket beach vendors surrounded Patong Mayor Chalermluck Kebsab and Kathu District Chief Sayan Chanachaiwong as they, with the backing of military personnel, attempted to clear Patong Beach this morning.

“This is where we earn a living; we have been here for many years. We are not harming anybody. Why would you stop us from earning a living to support our families,” one local vendor asked Mr Sayan.

Mr Sayan explained they were merely following orders.

“We are here for beach management, as we were ordered by the National Council for Peace and Order [NCPO] to re-establish order on the beaches,” Mr Sayan said.

“We are not stopping you from earning a living. After this, Patong Municipality will be able to implement new plans for how the beach will be managed and how you can earn a living.”

The forced eviction of vendors from the public sands of Patong Beach began yesterday afternoon.

The beach vendors protest of the implementation of direct orders from the NCPO violates the junta’s ban on all public gatherings of five or more people calling for action by any administration. However, the Army has yet to take action against them.

— Saran Mitrarat