The renewed drive to clear Surin Beach aims to bring to an end the ongoing saga that began with the same order issued more than 16 months ago, to clear Surin Beach “completely”. That saga may not yet be over. Mr Ma-Ann this week admitted to The Phuket News that several business owners had filed appeals against the demolition orders with the Phuket Provincial Court, and those appeals had yet to be ruled on. “We have approval (sic) to demolish most of them, but some of them have filed appeals that are still in the court,” Mr Ma-Ann said. “We will wait for court approval, but we hope to have all cases concluded so we can demolish the buildings by New Year.” Likewise, legal tangles may well delay the demolition of the 16 beachfront units at Surin owned by the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation (PPAO). “Right now, PPAO officers are still working on acquiring legal permission to demolish the PPAO buildings at Surin Beach,” said V/Gov Chokdee. “Unfortunately, as acting PPAO chief Watcharin Patomwattanapong was unable to attend Tuesday’s meeting, we will have to wait for him to return to Phuket before we can move ahead with these. “I will follow up with Mr Watcharin when gets back, which should be this week.” “The sooner we get approval, the better for us. I want to see Surin Beach returned to its ‘virgin state’ by the end of the year,” V/Gov Chokdee said. - See more at: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-navy-forces-to-provide-military-support-in-surin-beach-clearout-55249.php#sthash.zVzfzmPt.dpuf