Patong –
The famous Freedom Beach is now cleared of beach bed umbrellas in preparation for being declared a ‘Recreation Forest’.
Our previous story:
Now for the update:
The Phuket Governor, Sophon Suwannarat, told the Phuket Express that Freedom Beach is the responsibility of the Forest Department. It depends on the department to officially enact the ‘Recreation Forest’ project. Defense Volunteers and Police are now patrolling the beach to take care of tourist’s safety.
The Phuket Forest Center director Mr. Paisarn Noopichai told the Phuket Express that Freedom Beach is now in the process of preparing to become a ‘Recreation Forest’ area. However, beach operators are now banned from conducting activities such as running restaurants and operating beach bed umbrellas.
This includes the so-called “grey area” of bringing umbrellas and beach chairs to the beach from other areas. Alcohol is also being banned on the beach to discourage gatherings and parties.
The idea of the Recreation Forest area is to essentially see the beach in its natural environment and enjoy it as nature intended it, without restaurants, beach chairs, alcohol, or other aspects of civilization, according to the Forest Department.
