RAYONG -- A meeting of residents and businesses on Koh Samet on Wednesday voted to cancel the 8th Samet In Love concert planned for the resort island on June 3, according to media reports.
The meeting, chaired by Prayoon Pongpan, chief of the Khao Laemya - Koh Samet National Park, was called to sound out local opinions on the concert, which has been held annually for the past seven years.
Janjira Sangsuwan, chair of the Khon Rak Samet Association, said that over the seven years most of the work involved in holding the concert fell on the residents, but the revenues from the concerts went to the organisers.
Before each concert residents had to provide accommodation for the organising staff, but were paid little for the service.
The concerts themselves were spoiled by brawling between teenage groups. The revellers littered the place and damaged lodges and other facilities, leaving residents with the burden of cleaning up and making repairs afterwards,
Ms Janjira said concert goers polluted the water and left mountains of garbage. The business operators and residents of Koh Samet did not benefit from the event, she said.
Sompong Rattanapanya, the representative of boat operators, said during last year's concert two tour boats collided. About 30 people were injured. She said there should be no more concerts on the island.
After listening these and other opinions of those attending the meeting, Mr Prayoon called for a vote. All of those present voted against the 8th "Samet In Love" concert scheduled to be held on June 3.
Mr Prayoon said he would pass the resolution made by the meeting to his superiors for consideration.
It has yet to be decided whether the concert will be cancelled or retained.
This waste dump on Koh Samet just keeps getting bigger. (Bangkok Post file photo)