Pattaya engineers continue to hack away at the city’s
trees, admitting they’re creating eyesores in the name of security.
Workers covered about 700 meters of beachfront
starting in North Pattaya Aug. 6-10, saying about 80 percent of the work
is now done. More than 100 trees have been unattractively chopped,
diminishing pleasant shade for pedestrians and the image of the
shoreline.
Engineering Department spokesman Makara Yawapee said
the severe chopping the Beach Road trees have gotten was to both make
the beach safer at night and save money.
Workers were given orders to ensure nothing obscured
any light emitting from the 5-meter-tall spotlights on the beach, so
trees were more than trimmed. They were completely stripped to give take
away cover for any nefarious activities.
Makara admitted the result is not attractive, but
admitted that workers were also told to do the job as quickly as
possible to save rental fees on the crane truck being used.
Nonetheless, on-site engineer Anont Rhaimanee said
work is proceeding more slowly than planned due to inclement weather and
urged drivers not to park in areas affected by falling foliage.
