Phuket official moves to create Patong Beach clear zone

PHUKET: Kathu District Chief Veera Kerdsirimongkol has requested Patong Municipality to clear all vendors – including sun bed operators – from a large section of Patong Beach.

The affected area will stretch more than 500 meters from Loma Park to the area opposite the Phuket Graceland Resort and Spa (map here).

“This part of the beach has been taken over by many businesses, but it is a public area free for everyone to use,” Mr Veera said.

“I would like to see this become a ‘free zone’ with no hawkers or any other business. Everyone would be able to use it without being bothered by people trying to sell food, and tourists will be free to sunbathe on the sand,” he said.

Mr Veera said he had passed on his request to Patong Municipality, the police and other government officers.

“We have received good feedback supporting this project, and have already been given the go-ahead to check which businesses would be affected if we went ahead and set the clear zone.

“After we have done this, we can find ways to help the people affected find other work,” Mr Veera said.

— Saran Mitrarat