Chuchart Phewsawang.
Warunya Thongrod
More than 200 Pattaya residents and community leaders
learned how they can take more control over their neighborhoods by
establishing community councils.
Deputy Mayor Wutisak Rermkitkarn chaired the Sept. 5
meeting featuring Chuchart Phewsawang, manager of the national affairs
office for the Community Organization Development Institute. Representatives
from 38 Pattaya neighborhoods attended, along with leaders of the Pattaya
Ladies Development Group, Pattaya Elderly Club, Tourism Police Volunteers,
Ban Munkhong Kgao Noi, Pattaya Public Health volunteers, and Nongprue labor
volunteers.
The idea of community councils stems from the Community
Organization Act of 2008 that only took effect in February.
Councils will be comprised of neighborhood residents and
representatives from local temples, utilities, schools, banks, associations
and law enforcement groups. The idea is to allow a discussion of community
problems and exchange of ideas and solutions.
“The heart of creating a community council is the people
who have a part in thinking, acting, inspecting, following and benefiting to
enter into an era where political power will be distributed,” Chuchart said.
“Therefore, the politics in regards to citizens has become an important tool
in building democracy within communities urging the cooperation of citizens
in a form of a community.”
During the session, Chuchart reviewed applicable laws,
procedures to establish a council and elect officers and the duties councils
can attend to.
