un article que je decouvre: menace d interdiction des camping cars a
Phuket,
thailandewww.thaivisa.com/...-talks-on-total-ban/
PHUKET: -- Officials in
Phuket are considering a total ban on recreational vehicles (RVs) following a recent influx of Chinese RV tourists parking up at tourist areas on the island.
Phuket Vice Governor Prajiad Aksornthammakul called an urgent meeting yesterday (Feb24) to discuss the issue with officials from various departments, including Santi Pawai, Chief of Ministry of Tourism and Sports
Phuket office; Jarurong Kaewkasi, Chief Policy Specialist at the
Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO); and Col Saman Chainarong, Deputy Superintendent of the
Phuket City Police.
Chinese tourists enter the Kingdom via Route R3A, which is part of the so-called North-South Economic Corridor that links
Thailand with
Laos and China, V/Gov Prajiad explained.
“They come from
Kunming to Chiangkhong, in
Chiang Rai province. Now they are arriving in
Phuket and are parking up at locations across the island, ” he said.
“Officials have so far found 10 RVs parked at tourist areas such as Saphan Hin, Ya Nui Beach and Nai Yang Beach.” Vo/Gov Prajiad said, adding that the meeting was called specifically in response to complaints filed at the Governor’s Office by
Rawai Municipality and
Phuket City Municipality calling for direction in what to do with the new-age travelling Chinese tourists.
In addition to RVs parked illegally and their drivers refusing to move, concerns are being raised about where the tourists dump their garbage and the potential impact of an influx of self-catering tourists who travel on the cheap.
But first, V/Gov Prajiad raised the legality of RVs in
Thailand.
“Certainly, these RVs are considered illegal according to the Land Transport Act of
Thailand because they are modified vehicles, but tourists are allowed to enter the country with these vehicles and drive on our roads up to six months under the protection of the Customs Act, which acknowledges a vehicle as personal belonging, ” he explained.
“
Phuket does not have RV parks to accommodate these vehicles. We are afraid that by allowing ‘RV tourism’ on the island, we will have other issues to deal with, such as public health, cleanliness and public nuisance.”
V/Gov Prajiad noted the two possible solutions suggested at the meeting.
“We could ban all RVs from
Phuket entirely, and seize all the RVs and arrest their drivers already on the island – without exception.
“Or we could let each district come up with their own rules and regulations, and set up designated areas and routes for these vehicles, with a registration process.
“We have yet to decide which action we will take because we need to discuss this with the
Phuket Governor at our next monthly meeting with him, ” V/G Prajiad told The
Phuket News.
