As officials yesterday (Nov 11) mapped out the 10 per cent zone for the new “Phuket Beach Model” for beaches in the Karon sub-district, Phuket Vice Governor Chokdee Armornwat once again reiterated that all umbrellas must be placed within the 10 per cent zone.

Karon sub district consist of six beaches, and yesterday officials surveyed and marked out the 10% zone designated for umbrellas and beach mats on each of those beaches.

At a meeting held at Karon Municipality office before the marking out took place, V/Gov Chokdee announced, “Karon Beach has five 10% zones each 70 metres wide,. Kata Beach has two 70 metre 10% zones, Kata Noi two 40 metre 10% zones and Karon Noi one 40 metre 10% zone.

“90% of these beaches are for the public to enjoy, but no umbrellas or mats are allowed in that area.

“Freedom Beach and Nui Beach are to be free of umbrellas and beach mats therefore no 10% zones have been marked out there.”

V/Gov Chokdee continued, “Today we have used plant pots as temporary markers for the 10% zones but in the future we will change them for something which better represents the area.

“Putting this new beach model to work is quite challenging because each beach is different. At some beaches the rules will affect beach vendors and tourists, while some beaches will have no vendors or hardly any visitors. We have to adjust these rules to suit each beach.

“Our beach management committee will have to meet up again to decide what areas can be used for water activities, swimming, massage and snack and drink vendors.”

V/Gov Chokdee however once again insisted that tourists who bring their own umbrellas to the beach have to stay within the 10% zone, and if they don’t they will be asked by officials to comply to the rule.

Patong was the first beach to see the introduction of the new beach rules that will govern the sands at the island’s key tourist beaches when V/Gov Chokdee marked out the new beach vendor sections and free zones for tourists last Friday (Nov 6).