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 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.
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.”
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.
Some of the buildings encroaching on South Pattaya canal.
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.
