A development company has reopened a public road giving access to Phuket's Laem Nga beach following a public protest by local residents over its closure.
The protest came amidst growing concern over beach ownership and access on the resort island after the case involving a Swiss man accused of assaulting a woman sitting on steps near his villa to the same beach.
About 500 people rallied against Cape Nga Development Co on Thursday because a road to Laem Nga beach had been blocked by the construction firm even though it is a public road.
Phuket governor Sophon Suwannarat said on Sunday the company had agreed to allow public use of the road to the beach, but provincial authorities must provide security and keep the road clean in exchange for the reopening.
The province is investigating the ownership of the road to the beach.
Only 800 metres of the road remained open to the public after the company built fences around the development.
The governor was on a trip to Berlin and was ordered to return home by Interior Minister Anutin Chanvirakul on Friday.
