During a press conference with several
owners of businesses in South Pattaya, Chawalit Saeng-Uthai points to a
map of the area that needs clearing out.
Phasakorn Channgam
Banglamung’s district chief gave owners of structures
blocking South Pattaya’s main storm-drainage canal 15 days to remove
those obstructions or face having the government remove them with force.
The ultimatum was issued on Oct. 18, meaning as of
today, Oct. 28, there is only 5 days remaining in the grace period.
Chawalit Saeng-Uthai said the 14 transgressors face “extreme legal
action” should they fail to comply.
Illegal structures either blocking or partially
blocking the canal have been sited as the main cause of severe flooding
in South Pattaya and other parts of the city. Chawalit says that
clearing these obstructions is the city’s main goal for reducing the
chances of a repeat of Pattaya’s Sept. crisis that saw the worst
flooding in decades.
Chonburi Governor Wichit Chatpaisit inspected the
area last month and put Chawalit in charge of resolving the crisis.
It’s not the first time a warning has been issued to
businesses and residences for blocking the canal. Mayor Itthiphol
Kunplome ordered the removal of these obstructions two years ago, but
alas, apparently the city did not follow up on the order.
This time, officials claim they are determined to
return the canal to its original 10-meter width, clearing any
obstructions that reduce it. An official inspection sited 14 areas that
have been encroached upon by businesses, hotels, entertainment venues,
buildings and residential houses totaling over 7.5 rai of land.
Chaowalit said, “The canal is public land, not
private land, and no person or business is allowed to utilize it for
their own benefits. All the sectors have been informed.”
However, he added that, should owners object, another
30 days will be allotted for dismantling. If there still are refusals,
they’ll get another 15 days to state their case, after which a court
will decide the matter. He said the entire process should take no more
than 3 months.
This, of course, is plenty of time for the rainy /
flood season to end and the entire mess be forgotten until the next
rainy / flood season.
