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By 
10/01/2014
You wouldn’t be blamed for thinking that the recent
coup in Thailand would have a negative effect on tourism in a country that is always
at the top of every holidaymaker’s wish list. However, on the island of Phuket,
the new military regime may have just saved one of Thailand’s biggest
attractions: her beaches.
Phuket is the largest island in the country and one
of the most popular destinations. Spend some time here and it’s easy to see
why: she is blessed with long stretches of white, sandy beaches and inviting
turquoise seas. The island may have suffered greatly at the hands of 2004’s
devastating Tsunami, however tourists have returned in larger numbers than ever
to show just how beloved this island in the Andaman Sea is. Today, the island
is a veritable tropical paradise and the luxury resorts in Phuket offer all the facilities to
guarantee the holiday of a lifetime.
Yet all this popularity came at a price and put
incredible pressure on the beautiful beaches of Phuket. The waterfront became a
sea of sun loungers, beach bars and even beauty salons. These services, which
sprung up to cater to the tourist dollar, were unsanctioned – since beaches are
legally defined as public property in Thailand they should be free from any
private business.
But Phuket is more than 800 kilometres from Bangkok
and reportedly rife with corruption. For the law enforcement in the capital,
Phuket has always been that little too far away.
Cut to May 22, 2014 and Phuket’s natural beauty may
have found the most unlikely saviour in the form of army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha.
Months of political deadlock came to an end as he took the reigns of Thailand.
One of his first priorities as the new leader was to clean up Phuket’s beaches
and soldiers were sent to the island to crack down on illegal beach businesses.
The damages caused by years of abuse have now
been erased in a few days and both locals and visitors to Phuket’s luxury
resorts can finally see the islands famous sand again.
