Phuket

Marine experts: action needed to counter Phuket beach erosion

Published

4 years ago

Thursday, January 26, 2017

Marine experts: action needed to counter Phuket beach erosion | The Thaiger

PHUKET: Officers from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) and experts from academia have suggested two ways to counter the issue of erosion on Phuket beaches.

However, they have yet to state when will they take action, and say they are waiting for ‘help’ from local, provincial and national authorities.

On Tuesday, a team from the Marine National Park Management division of the DNP, along with marine biology specialists from Prince of Songkla University, and other relevant officials checked two of the worst affected beaches – Nai Yang and Sai Kaew.

According to satellite images, the erosion began in earnest in 2013 and grew worse over the years. Nai Yang is said to have at least 10 meters of erosion, whereas Sai Kaew Beach has eroded by up to 25 meters, with many trees falling victim to the creeping menace.

Many other beaches in Phuket, including Rawai, now face this problem as well.

“The cause of soil erosion is the death and decrease in the quantity of coral reefs. Reefs can help reduce the ferocity and speed of incoming waves, but without them, the waves cause twice as much damage and absorb even more sand,” said Ajarn Sakanan Plathong, lecturer of biological sciences at Prince of Songkla University.

Reef death can be caused by both man-made activities and natural phenomenon. Ajarn Sakanan explained that at Nai Yang, the cause is the change in direction of fresh water flowing into the sea.

“Earlier, the fresh water was flowing into Ao Thung Nun, where there are no coral reefs. Now, due to construction and swamp reclamation in that area, the fresh water has changed direction toward Nai Yang, in front of Sirinath National Park office, and effectively killed the coral reef there,” he explained.

The team has two possible suggestions to solve the issue.

“First, we need to change the direction of fresh water flow back to what it was. Secondly, we need to construct pipes for fresh water to be discharged in areas where there is no coral,” said Ajarn Sakanan.

“Building a wall to prevent beach erosion will not affect the root cause – it’s just damage control, and may even make the problem worse in areas nearby that have no wall,” he added.

Nattapol Rattanaphan, director of Marine National Park Management division of DNP, says that his office cannot handle the task alone.

“Even though we know the cause and solution, the initiative has to be taken by authorities at the local, national and provincial level,” said Mr Nattapol.

Authorities have yet to outline what action is to be taken in the matter.

“We always try our best to work on issues that affect marine life and resources. For instance, the proposed pier for airport passengers that is to be built at Nai Yang is under public hearing, but we do not condone it, as it will severely impact the natural life in the area,” Mr Nattapol added.

— Kongleaphy Keam

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News Categories: Phuket

Tourism

Phuket’s nightlife. Yes, bars and clubs are still open | VIDEO

Published

6 hours ago

Wednesday, March 3, 2021

The Thaiger

There was the original Covid-19 outbreak and lockdowns back in April and May in 2020, then again just before Christmas and New Year when the new clusters emerged in Samut Sakhon and the eastern coastal provinces, Patong’s nightlife was quiet enough, almost non-existent.

Now when the restrictions are lifted, Nimz will take you through Phuket’s famous nightlife spot Bangla Road, Patong Beach and Phuket Town. It’s quiet, but there are still clubs open and operating and ready to welcome you.

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Expats

Deceased Phuket expat’s body stuck in hospital due to passport mix-up

Published

11 hours ago

Wednesday, March 3, 2021

Ann Carter

Deceased Phuket expat’s body stuck in hospital due to passport mix-up | The Thaiger

In a nightmarish scenario, a deceased Phuket expat’s body is stuck in a Thai hospital as his step‐daughter claims hospital administrators won’t release the body due to a passport mix‐up.

Gemma Swift, the step‐daughter of 75 year old David Donoghue, who died 2 weeks ago, says she is pleading with embassy staff in Thailand to resolve, what she says, is purely an administrative issue after Donoghue’s passport number at the hospital was from that of an expired one.

Donoghue’s current passport was on file with the British Embassy, but because it did not match what the hospital had, his body has remained at the hospital. Swift says it was something that could easily be corrected and the situation was “horrendous” for the family.

“The British Embassy over in Bangkok, they said that because [the number] was from his current passport, they were unable to change the letter. They have said that they won’t reissue a letter with the passport number that he’s got in the hospital with him.”

She said her family planned to arrange a funeral for him in Thailand, then bring his ashes back to the UK. As he retired to Phuket 15 years ago, her family would then take his ashes back to Thailand, as per his wishes, to scatter them.

However, none of his family members were able to travel to Thailand to be with Donoghue in his final days, as the mandatory 14 day quarantine period upon entering Thailand, would not have allowed them to see him.

“I thought this was a basic human right to be able to give somebody a funeral and I accept that there is always going to be red tape…but please just issue a letter and let us bring him home.”

She said before Covid-19, family members travelled often to Phuket to visit Donoghue, who once worked for the Thai tourist police. She says the entire ordeal has been heartbreaking as her family was unable to say goodbye.

“That on its own was heart breaking, and now to get this two weeks later, to find out we can’t give him a funeral, or get his ashes back, it’s just horrendous.”

“It’s like being on autopilot… once we know we have done everything we can, we can start the grieving process, but at the minute we can’t.”

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said they are assisting Donoghue’s family during the difficult time.

“Our staff are in contact with the local hospital and funeral director to help his family obtain the necessary paperwork to ensure his body is treated in line with their wishes.”

If the situation isn’t fixed, Donoghue’s body will join a mass cremation at the hospital.

SOURCE: BBC News

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Phuket

Thailand News Today | Covid passport talks, Thai Airways heads to court | March 2

Published

1 day ago

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

The Thaiger

In today’s Thailand News Today…. The island of Phuket has a firm plan to get its residents vaccinated leading up to an October opening for tourists, the Thai PM backs up his police over last Sunday’s protest violence and Thai Airway’s employee union criticises the changes to employee contracts.

But the plan must be approved by the national government by April, if the province wants to open tourism by October 1. Phuket has a resident population of around 300- 400,000 people.

Before you go rushing off to book your plane tickets we’d stress that this is another in a long list of proposals that have not come to fruition and we’d urge patience until the Government approves the plans.

Meanwhile the island has taken delivery of 4,000 doses of the Chinese Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine. Vaccinations started yesterday, with priority given to 1,500 healthcare workers and 500 “at-risk” officials exposed to Covid-19 patients.

On a broader note… Thailand’s Tourism Minister says he has asked the Public Health Ministry to approve a vaccine passport scheme aimed at reviving Thailand’s devastated tourism sector. According to the Minister, the government is looking to the World Health Organisation to issue a statement on vaccine passports before it makes a final decision on the matter.

The Thai PM, Prayut Chan-o-cha has defended police action against protesters taking part in Sunday’s anti-government rally in Bangkok. Officers from the Metropolitan Police Bureau used tear gas, a water cannon and rubber bullets in an effort to drive protesters back from the PM’s residence. The PM insists the actions were in line with international standards. He says that police did not violate the protesters’ rights.

Thai researchers are claiming that horseshoe bats are not responsible for transmitting the Covid virus to humans. A researcher with the Thai Red Cross Emerging Infectious Diseases-Health Science Centre, says that even though the bats have tested positive for a coronavirus, it is not the strain that is transmissible to humans, and it’s certainly not the virus that causes Covid-19.

As Thai Airways tries to sell new contracts and conditions to its remaining workforce, the labour union of the national carrier is challenging changes to the employment contracts, where Thai Airways employees are being asked to agree to changes as part of the bigger financial rehabilitation program.

But a union representative says the new contracts are unfair because it includes fewer leave days and shorter holidays. The union has filed a complaint with the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare.

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