PHUKETINSIDER OPINION Zoning Needed For Entertainment Creep

Perhaps the recurring nightmare of many a Phuketian is the danger of a transformation taking place on the island from one 'P' to another 'P', meaning less Phuket and more Pattaya. While in days past the entertainment zone was firmly established and prospering in Patong with a small creep into Karon, Kata, and Phuket Town, as of late Rawai, Kamala and even now southern Bangtao is starting to see an influx of beer bars and roadways lined with friendly companions.

I have no presumption to comment on social mores and for me the previous designation of Patong has proven successful in controlling and containing Phuket growing entertainment industry. Even in staid old Cherngtalay the march north looks to be inevitable.

While Bangkok for the most part has selected areas such as Patpong, Soi Cowboy and Nana Plaza, here the sweep threatens downgrading the higher end resort neighborhoods and create a sprawling nightmare that can only be compared to Pattaya.

Don't' get me wrong the eastern seaboard in many ways gets things right and certainly the influx of new mega hotels such as the Centara and Sheraton as breaking new ground, here is seems that a foothold is being lost and there is no real vision by the powers that be to control the entertainment zone in designated areas.

No one can ignore that much of the nightlife and entertainment lends itself to the unique Thainess as a destination, but again moderation and planning are needed to ensure that the delicate balance of Phuket's diversifying tourism market retains a little something different for every segment. To each their own we'd like to say, but this includes those who prefer a less commercial choice when visiting the island.

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At the beginning of the 60's Pattaya did not exist, Naklua did, I know because I was there. Never managed to get to Phuket until the late 70's and it was in reality sleepy hollow. I spent my honeymoon at Rawai Beach in a nippa hut surrounded by silence.....wonderful. Over the intervening 30+ years I have seen the spread of the beer bars all over the place and anyone who thinks they can stop it happening is going to be disappointed I'm afraid. Jomtien to Naklua cheap beer bars and Phuket will go the same way. Patpong, Soi Cowboy, Nana, Pattaya, parts of Chiang Mai and Phuket are all advertised as booze and birds. Even little old Hua Hin has not been able to halt the onslaught of the ones (both Thai and farang) who want to make a million. What to do??????

Bill Hunter, 19 Feb 2010 | 9:35 pm

GOOD ARTICLE BILL,SORRY TO SAY THIS WE ARE TO LATE PATTAYA IS HERE ALREADY, YOU ONLY HAVE TO LOOK AT THE NEW SLUMS OF PATONG,WHATS HAPPENED TO RAWAI, KAMALA NEXT,ETC ETC.

I HAVE LIVED HERE FOR 20 YEARS,I AM NEITHER AN OPTOMIST OR A PESSIMIST I LIKE TO THINK I AM A PHUKET REALIST,WHATS HAPPENING ON THIS ISLAND IS DOWN TO ONE THING.. NO PLANNING REGULATIONS...,NOTHING WILL HAPPEN IN THE NEAR FUTURE, I DONT WANT TO LIVE IN ANOTHER PATTAYA, I AM SORRY TO SAY THE ONLY ANSWER FOR ME IS BYE..BYE...PHUKET

JOHN DEVENPORT, 09 Feb 2010 | 5:09 pm

Living in Nai Harn myself, I don't like the mushrooming of the bars neither.Matter of the fact is that Phuket with its growing appeal as mass tourism destination attracts also the crowd who likes these bars. Apart from zoning a focus on a different quality of visitors is needed as well.rgds wm

Wolfgang.Meusburger, 09 Feb 2010 | 3:45 pm

Zoning and tight control, please. Rawai now has some 60 or more such bars, they are growing like mushrooms. The bars should have dedicated areas where people can easily find them and where they aren't disturbing too much. Now, it became unavoidable recognizing them almost all over the Island. Pity.

Hajo, 08 Feb 2010 | 2:06 pm

well stated !!

we need family-friendly quality tourism in phuket and definetly not more "cheap" beer bars.

all local authorties and business people should be invited for a day trip to kamala and surin beach in order see how proper development (surin beach) and creation of an nightmare (kamala) can look like.

surin beach has and will continue to turn into a beautyful tourist village with nice restaurants and professionally operated hotels without loosing its original flair.

New kamala has become an unattractive place comprising of nothing lese than a high-way and disgusting beer bars.

i wonder if "local business people" located in the kamala and millionaires mile area could approach the local authorties and discusss how this could be changed in order to secure the long term success of phuket. its amazing to see that luxury projects such as andara can be successful even having such a problematic "reception" area.

i am instantly hoping that this can be fixed before its too late!!!!!!!!!!!!

Peter, 07 Feb 2010 | 10:32 am