Area residents are
suffering a large dust problem due to this large sand depot in South
Pattaya.
Warunya Thongrod
A major construction company has agreed to meet with residents of Soi
Wat Boonkanjanaram who have been complaining for six months about
excessive dust from its giant sand piles.
Worakit Ko Sang Construction, which has been the contractor for several
large Porchland Group condominiums in Pattaya, told Pattaya officials
visiting the dusty neighborhood May 21 that they wanted to resolve
long-running complaints and would meet with neighbors.
Residents living near Worakit’s stockpile of dirt and soil have
complained about air pollution and the large number of trucks running
soil in and out of the yard.
“My father and I have been affected since we own a shop and the dust
settles in the store all day, decreasing the number of customers,” said
Duangduan Waithayakorn, 37. “Plus my father has been experiencing health
issues for three months due to inhaling dust.”
Deputy Mayor Verawat Khakhay and City Councilman Amnuai Sompongthum
visited the area May 21, hearing stories that residents have tried to
contact Worakit management for months about the problem, with no relief.
“From the inspection, we have found that this land consists of many sand
mounds even with surrounding slants preventing sand spread,” Verawat
said. “I have also noticed that 10- and 18-wheel trucks are used to
transfer the sand, which does indeed cause air pollution. Therefore, I
have coordinated with the owner of the company to solve the issue.
“The owner has agreed to improve the slant and frequently spray water
including increasing the height of the slant. Finally, the owner is
happy to meet with residents to learn of their issues and help find a
solution,” Verawat said.
