Presiding over the meeting was Phuket Vice Governor Sattha Thongkham, joined by Surat Phongsanit and Jaruwit Satianrangsarit from the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning (DPT).
This initiative comes as a result of the DPT enlisting the expertise of Makro Consultants Co Ltd and Boonpanya Technology Co Ltd to conduct a comprehensive study on the coastal erosion at Sai Kaew Beach, at the northern tip of Phuket’s west coast, officials explained.
The primary goal is to address urgent cases and prioritise areas most affected by coastal erosion along the upper Andaman coast.
Sai Kaew Beach has been grappling with severe erosion during the monsoon, causing significant damage to the coastline. Strong winds and relentless waves from the Andaman Sea have eroded the beach, reducing its width from 300-400 meters to a mere 50 meters.
The ensuing flooding has even made the road impassable during storm conditions, posing safety risks and causing inconvenience to both citizens and tourists, officials noted.
The public hearing served as a platform to introduce the project, share basic guidelines for coastal protection, and present at least three viable options for safeguarding the coastline. Attendees were informed about the pros and cons of each option, alongside details about the study design and environmental impact assessment, said an offiical report of the meeting.
The meeting provided a forum for citizens, community leaders, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations to express their opinions and offer suggestions for the project’s development, the official report continued.
As representatives from various sectors came together to share insights and recommendations, the aim is to create a comprehensive database that will guide the project’s progress and ensure a concrete and efficient resolution to the coastal erosion problem in Sai Kaew Beach. The collaborative effort emphasizes the commitment of Phuket authorities to protect the coastline, enhance safety, and preserve the region’s natural beauty for future generations, the report added.
However, none of the three options presented were explained in the official report, and have yet to be publicly posted by the Phuket DPT office.