Cassidy Johnson PhD
(right), lecturer at the University College London presents a souvenir
to Nanthanapas Khaengkhan, president of the Ban Munkhong Ban Nernrodfai,
as a token of gratitude.
Warunya Thongrod
Fourteen British university students learned how some low-income
Pattaya residents became homeowners when they joined their Thai
counterparts to study the Baan Munkhong development.
The students from University College London toured the Khao Noi and
Nernrodfai neighborhoods with students from five Bangkok universities
May 8. The study project was organized by Pattaya’s Social Welfare
Department, the Community Organization Development Institute and Asian
Housing Development Foundation.
Ban Munkhong is a 100 million baht pilot partnership between the city
and the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. The ministry
announced in September it would allocate 37.8 million baht to fund 4
percent home loans and 46.7 million baht for construction of 290 homes
over 15 years. Pattaya earmarked a contribution of another 15.2 million
baht to support the program.
The project is just one of six the students are studying as part their
education on housing issues, architecture and construction. UCL lecturer
Cassidy Johnson said she brought the students to Thailand to give them
practical experience at solving housing issues.
“Baan Munkhong is an interesting project that is internationally well
known. Very few countries have started this kind of innovative project,
which allows people with low incomes to be able to stand on their own
feet by cooperating to build their homes and receive full sponsorship
from the government,” Johnson said.
Student Ariel Shepherd said she was impressed by the welcome the UCL
undergrads received and at being allowed to study alongside the Thai
students. “I learned that this is a very strong community that has
excellent advance planning strategies with excellent information
networks and sponsorship from Pattaya’s government,” she said.
Wasinee Ruangrith, head of the Khao Noi phase of the Baan Munkhong
project, said she was glad to see the development has become an
educational site. “It’s like a library for students to learn more and
more,” she said.
