Sand wars settled: Kata Noi Beach reclaims its shores
The sandy battle for Kata Noi Beach appears to be over, with beachgoers celebrating their newfound space. What was once a sprawling battlefield of beach chair vendors has been transformed into a haven for snorkellers and sunbathers alike.
One local reported that the long-standing “sand grab” has been resolved, with clear and accessible spaces now available along the beach.
“I just returned from a morning of snorkelling at Kata Noi and it looks to me that the situation has been fixed! There are now four or five beach chair-free zones.
“It also looks like they moved the chairs further away from the high water mark, leaving plenty of room for beach towels in front of the chairs. And where there are chairs, there are clear access paths between them. Somebody at the city has thought this through and executed it nicely.”
Karon Mayor Jadet Wicharasorn previously confirmed the issue was spiralling out of control. Beach chair operators had overrun Kata Noi and Kata beaches, with many businesses setting up without permission.
“The 10% rule remains in effect, limiting vendors to only 10% of the beach, but most of these operators have no approval.”
Despite his concern, Mayor Jadet revealed that local municipalities no longer have direct authority to regulate beach businesses. That responsibility lies with Phuket’s Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), the military’s political arm, reported The Phuket News.
“Until we receive an order from ISOC, we can’t take enforcement action.”
Now, with Kata Noi’s sandy shores restored, beachgoers can finally stretch out and enjoy the sun without battling through a maze of deckchairs. The spotlight now falls on ISOC to ensure the solution remains permanent.
ORIGINAL STORY: Beach wars: Kata’s shores overrun by chair chaos
Kata and Kata Noi beaches, once postcard-perfect stretches of Phuket paradise, are now under siege—by a sea of sunbeds and umbrellas. Locals are outraged as beach chair operators sprawl unchecked, with one resident calling Kata Beach “the world’s ugliest beach” and lamenting over 10,000 umbrellas crammed from the road to the waterline.
The infamous “10% rule,” meant to cap commercial activity to just 10% of the beach, seems to have vanished under a tide of new operators.
“Kata Beach is covered with beach chairs, some areas three rows deep. You can’t even see the ocean.”
At Karon Beach, the chaos is just as grim, with chairs stacked eight deep, leaving no space for visitors’ towels or blankets.
The complaints even highlight shocking incidents like a wedding disrupted by vendors demanding cash to clear their chairs. The local mayor, Jadet Wicharasorn, admits he’s powerless: “These businesses have no permission from Karon Municipality. The 10% rule remains, but enforcement now lies with the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC).”
Since 2015, ISOC, the political arm of the Royal Thai Army, has controlled Phuket’s beaches, but overlapping jurisdictions have stalled action. Mayor Jadet says he’s reported the issue to the Phuket Governor, but without orders from ISOC or the Ministry of Interior, nothing can be done.
Meanwhile, the Phuket Provincial Office is considering increasing the 10% limit to 40%, sparking fears of even greater commercialisation. Local officials point to Pattaya’s beach management model, where municipalities handle enforcement. But for now, Kata’s beaches remain a chaotic maze of umbrellas and disputes, reported Phuket News.
Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat insists solutions are coming, but frustrated beachgoers are left to wonder when—or if—action will ever arrive.
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