Pongthasith Pijanant,
Banglamung assistant district officer, along with officers investigate
Tony’s Entertainment, the only business that has begun demolition of
their buildings over South Pattaya canal.
Phasakorn Channgam
Banglamung officials gave notice on February 15 that
encroachers on South Pattaya klongs face lawsuits if they continue to
ignore orders to demolish buildings that encroach on the canals.
Pongthasith Pijanant, assistant district officer of
Banglamung and officers of Banglamung’s administration investigated the
progress of the demolition of buildings encroaching on public canals
including South Pattaya canal. The District Office ordered the cleaning
and expansion of canals to drain rain water and alleviate the stagnant
water issue in Pattaya City.
Pongthasith stated, “Due to the difficulties
experienced by citizens and tourists in many areas of Pattaya City on
September 11, from the heavy rainfall that fell continuously for 48
hours and caused damage to many businesses and homes Wichit Chatpaisit,
former Chonburi governor, Chaowalit Saeng-Uthai, Banglamung governor,
and Itthiphol Kunplome, Pattaya Mayor ordered the investigation of the
source of the problem. It was determined that encroachment on the South
Pattaya canal had narrowed the canal and caused the flooding. Governor
Wichit had ordered Banglamung’s mayor to investigate South Pattaya canal
and if encroachment found, to urgently start with the removal process.”
Some of the buildings
encroaching on South Pattaya canal.
Chaowalit Saeng-Uthai had ordered administration
officials to lead Chonburi’s Land Office in Pattaya to measure the
borders of the South Pattaya canal and to determine the extent of the
encroachment. It was found 14 people had encroached onto the canal with
construction. A letter was sent to the encroachers on September 18, 2011
to meet with government officials and asking them to remove construction
on public areas. A further announcement was posted on November 15, 2011
giving the 14 people 30 days to remove the construction, but all
encroachers have ignored the orders, the assistant district officer
noted.
A second announcement was made by Chaowalit on
February 2, 2012 that encroachers had 30 days to demolish their
buildings. He stated that if the encroachers ignore this final notice,
lawsuits will be filed according to the Interior Ministry regulations.
“Investigations have revealed that only Tony
Entertainment, within Soi Marine Pattaya Hotel, has begun demolition on
South Pattaya canal and is expected to be completed within 7 days. The
remaining 13 encroachers are still ignoring and have not begun any of
the removal according to the orders of the Banglamung District Office.
Once the 30 days have passed, the district will take legal action,”
Pongthasith concluded.
