PHUKET: Tourists on Kata Beach were this afternoon (July 2) bemused and perhaps a little alarmed to see police and heavily armed Navy Marines in flak jackets trudging along the iconic white sands.

With them was Karon Mayor Thawee Thongcham, who was politely asked by the police to speak with vendors and massage operations who have set up makeshift buildings on the beach.

Read more: thephuketnews.com