OFFICIAL TASK FORCE TO TARGET ILLEGAL VENDORS ON ‘MONKEY HILL’
Phuket Vice Governor Adul Chuthong led a high-profile meeting last week to address the growing illegal encroachment on Khao Toh Sae in Phuket Town, and to tackle the rising number of incidents of macaques attacking tourists and local residents
The meeting, held on Jan 24 at the old Provincial Hall, which now serves as the offices of the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation (PPAO), saw the participation of key officials from government agencies, including the Phuket Damrongdhama Center (Provincial Ombudsman’s Office) and Phuket forestry officials.
The issue was brought to light after several complaints were lodged at the Phuket Damrongdhama Center, prompting the convening of the meeting to seek immediate solutions.
Among the decisions made during the meeting were directives to the Phuket Forestry Office to inform vendors that selling products in the protected forest areas is strictly prohibited.
Shops in the area are mandated to be demolished promptly, with alternative selling locations designated by the government, said an official report of the meeting.
Of note, many of the vendors on the popular tourist attraction hill ‒ with monkeys as the main drawcard, but also offering stunning views of Phuket Town and the azure waters off the east coast ‒ sell food for monkeys for tourists to buy, despite the many signs warning visitors to not feed any animals on the hill, mostly for safety reasons.
To enforce the new measures announced last week, an operational team, comprising personnel from the Phuket Forestry Office; Region 8 Police; the Phuket branch of the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc), which serves as the political arm of the Thai military; the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation (PPAO) and additional officers will be stationed in the Khao Toh Sae area.
The operation to clear illegal vendors was set to commence yesterday (Feb 1) with a focus on ensuring order and safety, said the report.
Last year the remaining 300 rai of protected forest land on Khao Toh Sae, locally called ‘Monkey Hill’, was fenced off to prevent further encroachment.
The Phuket Damrongdhama Center has been tasked with leading the initiative. A guard post will be located at the bottom of the road up the hill to serve as a screening point for tourists and local residents. Signs advising on proper conduct, warnings, and area prohibitions will be strategically placed every 500 metres.
The guard post will be staffed by five officers for an initial period of one month.The five officers will comprise one officer from the Phuket Forestry Office and one official from the PPAO, as well as three security personnel. One of the security personnel will be provided by the Phuket branch of Isoc while the other two will be from the Volunteer Defense Corps (OrSor).
Vendors illegally located on protected forest land will receive notice to...
...vacate the site. Failure to comply will result in legal action, the official report warned.
MONKEY TROUBLE Meanwhile, the Khao Phra Thaeo Nature and Wildlife Study Center has been assigned the responsibility of finding a solution to relocate macaques causing disturbances in the area. Cooperation with relevant agencies will be sought to develop methods for feeding monkeys that prevent future disruptions.
The PPAO, along with Phuket City Municipality and Ratsada Municipality, will collaborate on maintaining the cleanliness in the area. A formal request for documents showcasing the extent of the forest area assigned by the Forest Department will be submitted.
As part of a comprehensive plan to enhance the Khao To Sae area, the PPAO has proposed developmental initiatives, including the creation of a tram system for tourists and local resident to use to to go up and down the hill.
The PPAO has also proposed hiring additional security personnel, and implementing measures to promote cleanliness, convenience, beauty, and safety in the region.
The proposals aim to boost tourism and create a positive experience for visitors to the popular hill and its viewpoint, said the official report.