NCPO calls on unemployed Phuket beach vendors to voice concerns

PHUKET: As structures built on the sands of Phuket’s beaches continue to be pulled down and more people are put out of work, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has called on displaced vendors to put into words the troubles they face as a result of the mass cleanup.

The comments – and suggestions for solutions – will be collected at the Phuket Damrongtham Center (ombudsman’s office), Third Naval Area Command base and all island municipality buildings until August 10, said Capt Petcharat Teanjun of the Third Naval Area Command yesterday.

After the comments have been compiled and organized by a research team at Prince of Songkla University (PSU) Phuket campus, they will be sent to Col Somchai Ponatong of the Army’s 41st Military Circle, who will hand the results over to the NCPO in Bangkok.

“Anyone who is facing hard times as a result of the beach re-organization should ask for help. We are happy to receive any suggestions on how to increase people’s happiness,” said Capt Petcharat.

Capt Petcharat asked anyone with suggestions and comments to include in their letter to the NCPO their full names, ID card numbers and a full description of the problems they face, as well as any possible solutions that the NCPO can assist with implementing.

Last week, Patong Mayor Chalermluck Kebsab was unable to make progress in finding solutions to help outraged beach vendors who were put out of work by the party town’s beach cleanup (story here). More than 90 per cent of them have fallen victim to local loan sharks (story here).

Meanwhile, the beach building tear downs continue in Kathu District. Kathu District Chief Sayan Chanachaiwong reported yesterday that the beach re-organization in the area is nearly complete, with only eight seaside buildings remaining in Kamala.

“We started clearing Kamala Beach on June 7. There were originally 187 businesses on the beach, now there are only eight structures built in public areas left standing,” said Mr Sayan.

Mr Sayan explained that the land title documents for those properties are under investigation.

— Saran Mitrarat