Prayut orders talks to resolve Doi Suthep residences row

[webfact]

Prayut orders talks to resolve Doi Suthep residences row

By THE NATION

 

 

PRIME MINISTER General Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered that talks be held on Monday to settle a dispute over the construction of court officials’ residences at the foot of Chiang Mai’s Doi Suthep.

 

Teerasak Rupsuwan, co-ordinator of the Network to Reclaim Doi Suthep Forest, said yesterday that his group was invited to attend negotiationsat the 33rd Military Circle. 

 

“The talks will start at 9.30am on April 9,” he said, citing information from Major Sopon Phakkasem. 

 

Teerasak said, however, that he was still waiting for the military to issue a written invitation as he was concerned that the talks would collapse again. 

 

A similar session was cancelled earlier this week because the representatives of the Court of Appeals Region 5 refused to attend. 

 

Prayut intervened after the Network to Reclaim Doi Suthep Forest unveiled a plan to stage a big rally in Chiang Mai on Sunday and to petition the King later, after the meeting was called off. 

 

 

Members of the network are unhappy that the ongoing construction of court officials’ residences has eaten into Doi Suthep forestland. The construction site is very close to the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park.

 

Built under a Bt1 billion budget, the construction project involves nine homes for court presidents, 36 homes for chief justices, and 13 apartment buildings for court officials. 

 

Teerasak believed the presidents of courts should announce a decision to relinquish their right to stay in the residences to pave the way for their demolition. 

 

The construction is now almost complete. 

 

 

Assoc Professor Somchai Preechasinlapakun, who teaches at the Chiang Mai University’s Faculty of Laws, urged relevant authorities to release any information related to the controversial project to the public. 

 

“For example, make clear about the slope of the construction site and say if environmental impacts have been assessed,” Somchai said. 

 

His faculty also released a statement yesterday recommending that the construction work be suspended until information becomes clearer. 

 

Campaigns against the residences at the foot of Doi Suthep have gained momentum. Many people have started tying and wearing green ribbons to back the campaigns. Among them is jazz musician Pharadon Phonamnuai, who has handed out free green ribbons.

 

 Some opponents of the construction began a march from Chiang Mai to Bangkok yesterday. The march was allowed to go ahead only after participants said it was for overall forest protection, not specifically about the construction of court officials’ residences in Chiang Mai. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30342482

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-04-05

[tracker1]

Easy to see where this is going to end and in whos favour once the PM General has spoken

[ChiangMaiLightning2143]

Well is it actual encroachment or “very close” to Doi Suthep-Pui Natl. park as the article reads?

[kamahele]

I'm just wondering why the government has to provide housing for court officials. Is the pay so low that they cannot find their own housing or is it contractual? This isn't meant as a sarcastic comment either. Really wonder why.

[CNXBKKMAN]

Some more views. they are built on the mountain near the bottom.

[Stargeezr]

One good landslide through the area of the houses may help, at least show

Bad Karma of the people involved building like they have done.

Geezer

[NeoDinosaw]

19 hours ago, Stargrazer9889 said:

One good landslide through the area of the houses may help, at least show

Bad Karma of the people involved building like they have done.

Geezer

Although steep slopes are usually stable when they are covered in trees and other vegetation, once the trees and vegetation are removed, the slopes will possibly be unstable. It all depends on the  soils and geology underneath.  Was there a detailed ground assessment made all over the site ?

[greeneking]

On ‎5‎/‎4‎/‎2561 at 10:38 AM, kamahele said:

I'm just wondering why the government has to provide housing for court officials. Is the pay so low that they cannot find their own housing or is it contractual? This isn't meant as a sarcastic comment either. Really wonder why.

Agreed.  In more developed countries it is understood the legislature and the judiciary should be separate.

Otherwise there will be suspicions that verdicts might not be unbiased.

Like here.

[fakename]

Well, lets just WATCH what happens. Probably same as the other case, that everyone is WATCHING

[Darcula]

On 4/4/2018 at 9:30 PM, webfact said:

The construction is now almost complete. 

 

There might be some consideration if there's a lot of money to be made in demolition and reforestation.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

I see more than 4 or 5 people gathered together in those photos!!!

 

And talk of demonstrations and even marching!!! And wearing colored ribbons!  Ohh Lord!!!!

 

Someone's going to be in trouble soon, as that kind of conduct simply isn't permitted here.

 

[Stargeezr]

I think that Judges and lawyers are well enough paid that they do no need housing supplied

like this bunch of houses. That is why I hope that a landslide happens and wipes out this entire area

of houses, maybe with the judges etc inside. Hence my jinx comment and a pox on these houses

and the people involved, including the judges who think they deserve these houses!

Geezer