V/Gov clears Laem Sing Beach of illegal vendors

PHUKET: Phuket Vice Governor Chokdee Amornwat this week removed all the beach chairs and umbrellas set up by illegal vendors on Laem Sing Beach – one of Phuket’s ‘virgin beaches’.

The Vice Governor ordered the beach to be cleared after aerial photographs of furniture strewn across its sands were published by the Phuket Gazette, and went viral on social media earlier this month (story here).

“As soon as I received the report, I gave vendors five days to take all of the chairs and umbrellas off the beach. My officers have confirmed that this has now been done,” V/Gov Chokdee said.

He added that any further incidents would be dealt with harshly and the responsible parties would be charged for beach encroachment.

Though the Vice Governor drew a clear line in the sand with regards to beach furniture, the issue of accessing Laem Sing Beach remained muddied.

“We are still trying to work out whether the entrance to the beach is privately owned or not. Hopefully we’ll find a way to resolve this issue as soon as possible,” V/Gov Chokdee said.

— Kongleaphy Keam