Pattaya officials said they will demolish 20 apartment buildings encroaching on the Nokyang canal despite appeals to a provincial board that the city was violating residents’ rights in its effort to clear the Naklua flood-control trench of obstructions.
Deputy Mayor Vichien Pongpanit led city workers and soldiers on an inspection of the canal area June 16 to follow up demands that residents stop dumping trash into the waterway and prepare to relocate.
Following his inspection, Vichien said the trash issue had received good response and now was 80 percent cleaner. The city will now dredge the canal to improve storm water drainage.
Pattaya earlier issued demolition orders for 91 houses and cited an additional 25, saying all were built on top of or partly obstructed the public canal, worsening flooding in the area. They were given 15 days to remove their structures or face legal action and demolition by the city.
The city’s plan is to first evict people renting property while giving those who own their own homes more time. But all residents were warned that during the transition period they must keep the area clean and not further pollute or obstruct the canal.
About 30 residents petitioned Mayor Anan Charoenchasri on May 30, pleading for more time, as they had lived for decades in the area and could not simply uproot their lives in two weeks.
In addition, 64 homeowners filed a formal appeal with Chonburi Province and the appeals committee ruled that they are part of a permanent community with official registration numbers and legal public utilities that are funded through the Pattaya City budget. Therefore, the committee said, removing these homes could cause a major adverse impact on the community.
City hall was asked to further explain its actions and outline solutions to help the affected homeowners. Last week, however, Vichien indicated the city’s demolition plans remained on schedule.
The first to be affected, he said, will be 20 rental blocks with 78 rooms. Residents were told to find other accommodations immediately.
The deputy mayor earlier said Pattaya is coordinating with the Department of Social Development to find new homes and relocate those affected, as well as talking with the country’s public housing administration for solutions.
Finally the inspectors visited Chonglom to investigate an encroachment complaint.
They found a large wall behind the temple built on public land and said Banglamung District will send a letter and talk with the temple about the issue.
