During the long weekend for the Queen’s Birthday I’m in Phuket for a three day trip. The main reason to come is for the Hungry Ghost Festival but also to see what the beaches look like after the army crackdown on illegal activities and encroachment. I must say the beaches are looking good without the sun loungers and umbrellas. There are also no beach bars or jet skis on the sand. But, how long will it last? Here are some of my pictures that I live tweeted on day one from Phuket.
[tweet https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/498667890011156480] [tweet https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/498727010185654272] [tweet https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/498749059067179008] [tweet https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/498828424866045954] [tweet https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/498826042190995457] [tweet https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/498848566845386752] [tweet https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/498755081726992384] [tweet https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/498755957954854916] [tweet https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/498757446651748352] [tweet https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/498759219735044096] [tweet https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/498850183187529728] [tweet https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/498788168926515200] [tweet https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/498794083184156673] [tweet https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/498796204268855296] [tweet https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/498837252647444480] [tweet https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/498836340658941952] [tweet https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/498853395651104768] [tweet https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/498799082941341696] [tweet https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/498803147330973697]
Actually, there still are jet-skis on the sand. They are hiding under the trees in the shade which is, of course, exactly where the tourists want to sit, out of the sun. Thanks, jet-ski guys, you really are such a bonus for us foreigners.
I also tried to get to Patong beach today but the one way road at the southern end of the beach – Prachanukhro Road – was jammed solid. So after 20 minutes I did what dozens of other drivers did and turned around to drive the wrong way out of it and back to the more civilised Rawai.