Phuket cleans up beaches

PATONG beach in Phuket
has been restored
and cleaned up by the
National Council for Peace and
Order (NCPO).
In recent years the 3,5km
beach on Phuket’s west
coast had become extremely
crowded. Earlier this month
officials removed unauthorised
vendors.
Tourism Authority of Thailand
governor, Thawatchai Arunyik,
said: “This clean-up saw the
removal of troublesome food
stalls, massage huts and
illegal stalls. With these gone,
everyone is able to enjoy the
beach in its pristine state.”
Four other beaches in
Phuket have been cleaned
up and illegal taxi services
have been clamped down on.
In Bangkok, a technological
system for the taxi queues at
Suvarnabhumi International
Airport is in the process of
being implemented.
“We welcome the clean-up
of the beach area in Patong,
which had become crowded
with vendors. Many visitors
felt they were being pestered
by the hawkers,” says John
Ridler, Thompsons Holidays
media and pr manager.