Believe that the authorities have removed all the chairs and umbrellas off the beach at Patong...does that mean that there is no shade no chairs and we have to sit on the smelly sand on mats! Phuket newspaper is very vague on this matter.. Does any one know if this is true...otherwise will cancel next weeks trip to Patong and go to the Philippines... One can not sit on a beach with out a comfortable chair and shade...seems madness to me.