Flooding continues at the Ouay
Athorn development in Sattahip, affecting up to 4,600 families.
Patcharapol Panrak
For the third straight year, more than 4,600 families in a Najomtien housing
project are suffering from a series of deep and fast floods.
Sattahip Mayor Phawat Lertmukda and Najomtien Permanent Secretary Nathee
Ditthabanjong toured the Ouay Athorn development in Moo 2. Comprised of 96
three-story buildings, each housing 48 families, the village is located on a
flood plain and was struck again Nov. 19 with sudden flooding that ran a meter
deep.
The Royal Thai Navy’s Construction and Development Department in Sattahip sent
three trucks to the project to assist flooded residents in moving their
belongings and to deliver water pumps to clear the water. The root of the
problem, however, isn’t as easily solved.
Nathee said the housing project is spread over 100 rai on land that acts as a
natural drainage canal for rain for the rest of Najomtien and Pattaya. Residents
over the lower floors of each building have suffered water damage and property
loss for the past three years.
The only permanent solution to the flooding is to either abandon and relocate
the residences, dig new drainage canals or construct barriers to protect the
homes.
