Now, it seems, the fight may come down to which of two versions of land papers is correct: the one that says the land belongs to the government, or the one that says it used to be Royal land and was donated for public use.
The provincial authorities claim – and have repeatedly stated the claim – that the land belongs to the government (through the Treasury Department) and that they have the right to use it as they see fit. They say they have paperwork to prove this.
However, the opponents argue that, originally, the land was a Royal parcel, which was then donated for public use, not government use.
Lawyer Rungsun Kongthong, one of the leaders of the opposition, said he and his colleagues have paperwork to prove this.
Vice-Governor Jamroen Tippayapongtada said the government has explained on many occasions how it plans to redevelop the area that includes Sanam Chai, the tennis courts and the offices of the High School Education Services Dept.
The current Provincial Hall is old – it is the only provincial hall in Thailand that is over 100 years old – and the building is run down and needs restoration. It is also too small to accommodate all of the current provincial staff.
Governor Maitree Intusut said that the government had signed its approval for the new Provincial Hall on the tennis courts in 1996 – 17 years ago – because this is a central location that will be convenient for the public to visit.
It will be built in “Sino-Portuguese Colonial” style, with up to 194 car parking spaces underground where the Sanam Chai currently is. The tennis courts, he said, will be moved to the land next to the old Provincial Hall.
However, Mr Rungsun said he had seen construction plans and they did not appear to show an underground car park of any kind.
The opponents also disagreed with the decision to build the new Provincial Hall in “Sino-Portuguese Colonial” style, because this style of architecture was not appropriate, they said.
They criticised the authorities for not holding public hearings earlier.
Patong Mayor Pian Keesin, who was also at the meeting, said that both sides should “try to find a middle way that will not impede progress in Phuket”.
It was agreed that another meeting will be held between the provincial government and the opponents to see whether they can find common ground.
Gov Maitree told The Phuket News after the meeting, “The plan was approved long before I came here, so I have to follow through with what Bangkok ordered.”