The operation began in the driving rain yesterday (May 14), with armed personnel present to keep the peace.
No disturbances were reported, as the illegal business operators stood by as their shops were removed.
The host of illegal businesses were all thatch-roofed shanties, a preference of illegal operators at Surin beach as they can continually claim that the structures are only “temporary”, despite the fact they are never removed once in place.
The businesses removed included restaurants, cocktail bars and sunbed rentals ‒ all aimed at serving tourists.
The operation, carried out between 9am and 1pm yesterday and today, followed a resolution from the local working group on resolving public use conflicts on Phuket’s beaches, the Thalang District Office reported.
The operation comes under the command of Phuket Governor Sophon Suwanarat, and with support from Phuket Vice Governors Adul Chuthong and Samawit Suphanphai, along with Provincial Palad (Chief Administrative Officer) Thiraphong Chuaychu, the report added.
Local authorities present yesterday included Thalang District Chief Siwat Rawangkun, with the mobilised task force under the direction of Thalang District Palad Wisut Romin.
The task force included representatives from the Cheng Talay Subdistrict Administrative Organisation (OrBorTor), along with personnel comprising police, military and forestry officials, along with municipal staff, and security enforcers from the Volunteer Defense Corps (OrSor).
“This operation is to move objects, buildings, and entourage of the intruders who illegally occupied public areas on the beach in order to return the area to the public benefit of the people and tourists, in accordance with the guidelines for beach management to be orderly, transparent and sustainable,” noted an official report of the raids.
“The effort is part of a broader strategy to ensure that Phuket’s beaches remain “accessible, well organised and sustainably managed for both residents and tourists”, the Thalang Distrct office also noted.
“This is about protecting public land and making sure our beaches are used fairly and responsibly,” the office also noted in its report.