Koh Larn residents march to Pattaya City Hall to protest what they are saying is illegal development on their island.
Koh Larn residents blocked roads and successfully demanded the ouster of the island’s top administrator in protest over developers who are razing forest land to build new resorts.
About 660 protestors blocked roads around Pattaya City Hall Oct. 5, barring cars from entering or leaving Pattaya as they waved signs and posters demanding that Sutham Phetket be terminated as deputy permanent secretary of Pattaya. They claimed he is responsible for letting commercial developers flatten hills and deforest the island without consulting residents.
Koh Larn residents march to Pattaya City Hall to protest what they are saying is illegal development on their island.
In a hastily called meeting with protestors, Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh and two members of the Pattaya City Council announced that city hall had fired Sutham.
Koh Larn village chief Booncherd Boonying said protestors rallied after more than 320 rai (126.52 acres) were razed to make way for new hotels and private enterprises.
“We residents are saddened by the acts of investors and have never thought that Pattaya City would allow investors to execute such operations when the city has been promoting a permanent reforestation project to honor Their Majesties,” he said. “It is unbelievable that such a steep hill can be built upon, even residents building their houses is such an issue but the ability of the investors being able to built according to their wishes is a clear double standard.”
In addition to demanding Sutham’s removal, residents also asked city officials to terminate land concessions. He said residents also are demanding more input on island affairs and the replanting of trees developers have chopped down.
Ronakit said the contracts would be reviewed, but no decision could be made on the spot.
For the protestors, who packed up their tents and went home after the meeting with officials, grievances with Sutham had been building for years.
They accused him of taking 100 million baht from the city treasury to fix drainage canals but doing nothing as well as allowing resorts and restaurants to be built on Samae Beach without resident approval.
