Banglamung District Constable
Phongsith Pijnant investigates buildings blocking the South Pattaya canal.
Phasakorn Channgam
Two years after promising to demolish structures blocking
South Pattaya’s storm drainage canal, Pattaya officials have been told to
actually do it by Chonburi’s governor.
Following record flooding Sept. 11 that paralyzed the
city, Gov. Wichit Chatpaisit ordered city officials to immediately dismantle
structures built along the klong that for years have been blocking runoff
from entering the flood canal.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome two years ago made a great show
about the city’s plan to remove all the structures, but work stopped shortly
after press cameras left the scene.
Banglamung District Constable Phongsith Pijnant said
garbage that also was blocking the canal running from the Camelot Hotel east
of Second Road to the waterside Siam Bayshore Hotel & Spa has now been
cleared, but man-made obstructions remain.
He said district officials will monitor Pattaya City
efforts to remove the buildings. He said demolition would begin anew Sept.
20.
