Phuket vendors object to mafia label

At the Justice Ministry’s service centre launch yesterday, Dessadee met with 300 affected residents including those business operators in beach umbrella/chair renting and in the taxi business to hear their grievances. 

The beach umbrella/chair renters said they were affected by the beach regulating policy implemented over the past two years despite the fact that they were not “mafia” as accused and their services added “charm” to the location. They also said Pattaya City in Chon Buri province still allowed beach umbrella/chair renting businesses. Representatives of taxi operators at Karon Beach claimed they had operated this business for a long time and once the rules were set, they followed those rules. However, they didn’t understand why they were accused by some people of invading public spaces and being a “thug-like” association, so they asked for justice.

Dusadee said that the Ministry of Justice aimed to provide fairness on matters that affected the public. In cases where the authorities’ law enforcement affected people, it must be considered if the charges filed were appropriate – too harsh or not. “If anything could be handled by the rule of law along with political science principles, it should be done so that people could be fairly treated, officials be protected for performing duties and there would be less problems between people and state officials,” he added.