Phuket hotel in controversy has land deed all the way to sea
A video posted to Facebook showing a tourist being asked to move from a “private” beach in front of Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, has gone viral, while the resort denies that they ordered their staff to chase the tourist and his children off the beach.
Aziz Yotharak’s video shows a tourist with two children sitting on a mat on the beach in front of Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket. An apparent staff member from the resort tells the family to move out as the space is “private property”.
See VDO clip: https://www.facebook.com/100002854575487/videos/1337266146378525/
The tourist is heard replying that the beach “cannot possibly belong to a hotel”.
Ma-Ann Samran, president of the Cherngtalay OrBorTor, has weighed in, noting that he had discussed the matter with hotel management.
“The staff said that the general manager only ordered the staff at the scene to inform the tourist that if he wants to use the facility of the resort such as the swimming pool he has to buy the day-pass voucher.”
Staff denied that the general manager had ordered that the tourist be moved away from the beach. The resort insists “the staff didn’t force the tourist away, as it creates a bad tourism image for Phuket,” said Ma-Ann.
But that appears not to be the end of the matter.
“However, after checking thoroughly [I have found that] the beach that appears to be public land is covered in the resort’s land deed all the way to the sea,” said Ma-Ann. “I have reported this matter to the Governor as it is a case study. The beach areas are the responsibility of the Marine Office. Just like me, everyone believes this is public land.
“There are many spots in Cherngtalay that have the same issue. The departments involved need to find a solution that will ensure that people and businesses share the beach together.”
Source: https://www.phuketgazette.net/news/private-beach-front-dusit-thani-laguna-phuket