Navy approves umbrellas for Phuket beaches

PHUKET: The Royal Thai Navy yesterday granted permission for tourists to bring umbrellas to Phuket beaches.

The move comes after weeks of pressure from local business owners, foreign governments and tourists themselves.

“I am aware that tourists were not allowed to bring their own umbrellas to the beach. However, this is no longer the case,” Phuket Provincial Police Commander Patchara Boonyasit said at the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command Base yesterday.

“It was a difficult issue because officers wanted to prevent confusion among tourists, as well as keep umbrella vendors off the beaches.”

The solution comes as the military rubber stamped the idea of tourists buying or renting umbrellas from shops on private property – preventing vendors from setting up shop on public land.

Local governments have been assigned to enforce the new measure designed to protect Phuket’s beaches. Commander of the Royal Thai Navy’s Third Area Command Sayan Prasongsamrej asked that anyone witnessing the failure of a local government body to enforce the rule to report the infraction immediately.

“Anyone who sees beach vendors setting up umbrellas or sun-loungers, or are even walking on the beach selling goods or beverages, please take a photograph and report it to the local police, Vice Admiral Sayan said.

“Those caught breaking the law will be charged for encroaching on public land. If officers do not take action, they will be charged for neglecting their duty.

“If local governments are unable to enforce the law, Navy officers will be dispatched to manage the beaches.”

Though all beach vendors, with the exception of jet-ski operators, remain banned from the beaches Phuket Governor Nisit Jansomwong is working on a solution for dealing with these commercial activities, confirmed V/Adm Sayan.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong