More encroachment found at Sukhawadee House

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Pattaya officials have found more structures at tourist attraction Sukhawadee House encroaching on public property, which included building a steel gate and parking lot on public land.
Pattaya officials have found more structures at tourist attraction Sukhawadee House encroaching on public property, which included building a steel gate and parking lot on public land.

Pattaya officials have found more structures at tourist attraction Sukhawadee House encroaching on public property.

Cited in January and July for usurping public land for its own use, the ostentatious mansion owned by the head of poultry giant Saha Farms again was accused of building a steel gate and parking lot on public property.

Deputy Mayor Vichien Pongpanit and Banglamung Deputy District Chief Prapan Prathumchumpu visited the Sukhumvit Road attraction Sept. 12, accompanied by engineers, lawyers and police.

They were there to check on the demolition of a building blocking Sukhumvit Soi 8. They found the building gone, but a new steel fence and reinforced concrete parking lot for buses instead. Looking around, they also found lanterns hung with rope across public roads.

Police fined the two buses parked there while public officials went looking for Sukhawadee management.

In January, 11 of Sukhawadee House’s 80 rai of land were deemed to be public land, including landfill reclaimed from the sea. The land included gardens and salas and was encircled by a fence as well as the takeover of a waterfront footpath where tour buses were allowed to park.

Until July, Sukhawadee management had cooperated with the city and was allowed to operate normally. However, on July 5, Pattaya officials discovered a staircase had been built that encroached on a public footpath. In addition, the mansion had laid down artificial grass and put out tables and chairs.

Two months later and that grass and tables are still there. Pattaya said it can remove them itself, as they are not actual buildings subject to demolition proceedings. It gave the mansion one last chance to restore the area to its pristine state before city workers move in.