Yesterday, Sydictive confirmed they were considering moving the event to Patong Beach after two hotels in Surin demanded compensation of at least B3.5m to make up for the disturbance to hotel guests.
Today, Patong deputy mayor Chairat Sukbal said that if the party moves to Patong, the beach will not be able to be blocked off because it is a public area.
“There are more than 50 beach chair businesses on the beach, and over two days of the party they will lose a lot of money,” Suriya Soison, a Patong beach chair business owner said.
“They [Sydictive] can negotiate and pay for the two days compensation, but that will cost them a lot.”
“But it is still not worth it,” Mr Suriya said. “Two days off will makes us lose our returning guests to other places.”
Chanankarn Kanjanapo, a massage shop owner on the beach, also agreed, saying organisers should talk to all businesses in the area and compensate them enough money for two days worth of lost revenue.
“I think here in Patong it is harder for them [Sydictive] compared with Surin Beach. If they are able to compensate all of the business here, nobody will have a problem,” said Somporn Kanpakdee, a jet ski business owner.
The business people agreed that the beach belonged to the public, and that Sydictive should not be allowed to earn money from public property.
“This is not a private beach,” said Somchai Sriram, a taxi driver. “Everyone can use it and if the party is moved, we businesspeople will lose a lot of income. I don’t think the organiser can afford to compensate us such a large amount of money.”
Even tourist Sam Micheal, possibly included in the target market for the party, thought it was a bad idea.
“It will block the beach and the tourists cannot visit the area. They will not come back again. People come to Phuket for the beach, especially Patong,” Mr Micheal said.
Phuket expat Brian Rosser, who lived in Phuket for six years, also didn’t agree with the party. He likes to party, but doesn’t think the Sydictive event is a good idea.
“I still wonder how they can prepare everything within 10 days. Also, it will take time to clean up the beach, and that will affect tourism. Tourists may decide to go somewhere else next year.”