Three years after being offered their first-ever homes, low-income Pattaya residents finally will be able to move into the Baan Munkhong development in November.
Wasinee Ruangrit, president of the Ban Munkhong Khao Noi Co-operative, announced at a meeting Sept. 19 that 10 model homes would be available in November and 10 more in December.
Constructions workers look busy as they try to complete the first phase of 10 houses by November.
Baan Munkhong is a 100 million baht pilot partnership between the city and the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. The ministry announced last year it would allocate 37.8 million baht to fund 4 percent home loans for no more than 15,000 baht, and 46.7 million baht for construction of 290 homes over 15 years. Pattaya earmarked a contribution of another 15.2 million baht to support the program.
Residents seeking permanent homes in the Nernrodfai and Khao Noi neighborhoods had been squatters on state property before they were evicted. They see Baan Munkhong as their chance to own their own homes for the first time.
Construction on the homes began last month. Residents of the first phase of the Khao Noi development already have paid for land rights. They now will have to pay 2,607 baht per month on the houses.
The entire Baan Munkhong Khao Noi phase is spread over more than 12 rai of land and includes 304 houses and one office building. Phase 1 calls for 79 units.
All the first 20 houses are model houses for other members to use as example in planning loans and design of their houses. Members of Baan Munkhong Khao Noi Pattaya must have a part in the corporative meetings to be informed of the construction plans and management by project committee.
One major obstacle remains: electricity. Despite Banglamung District allocating 9 million baht to add the development to the electrical grid in July, Wasinee said no one from the Provincial Electrical Authority has shown up to evaluate the power installation.
