Court housing has to go, Chiang Mai rally says

[webfact]

Court housing has to go, Chiang Mai rally says

By The Nation

 

Picture: Work TV

 

THE DOI Suthep Forest Reclamation Network yesterday issued a statement demanding the government expedite the removal of court properties allegedly encroaching on protected woodland on the Chiang Mai mountain.

 

More than 1,000 people from around the country gathered at Tha Pae Gate in the city centre for a network-organised rally against the Bt1-billion court housing project. 

 

Green ribbons reappeared around the city to promote the rally. Supporters began assembling at the gate around 7am, some having walked substantial distances in what they described as an “homage to Doi Suthep”, which is locally regarded as a sacred mountain. 

 

“Don’t let the sanctuary crumble at the hands of humans,” said network coordinator Nikom Putta, president of the Ping River Conservation Group. 

 

The demonstrators then cycled around the Old City to distribute green ribbons and raise public awareness about their cause. Cultural performances were staged, along with a traditional northern ritual intended to curse the housing project, which involved burning chilli and salt.

 

The network said in a statement that the court had resolved to move the homes for judges and court officials to Chiang Rai, but this resulted in an even murkier situation because it left the fate of the Doi Suthep estate unresolved.

 

Protests began in March after news circulated of 45 houses and nine condominiums appearing to encroach on forest and natural waterways on Doi Suthep.

 

The original plan was to build a new office for the Court of Appeals Region 5 and residences for officials. The public backlash forced the court this month to order the project relocated to Chiang Rai.

 

A provincial committee dealing with the network also agreed that all the residences should be removed. 

 

Its proposal has been forwarded to the government, raising concerns that the mountainside site could simply be turned over to another state agency.

 

Network adviser Chatchawan Thongdeelert said that, since the government had made no commitment to removing the buildings, opponents should sustain their efforts, but in a peaceful way.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30353005

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-08-27

[yellowboat]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

but this resulted in an even murkier situation because it left the fate of the Doi Suthep estate unresolved.

It will remain so unit bulldozers clear the land, and CMU starts to replant trees. 

[ogb]

On Saturday the gardens of the upper mansions were still being manicured and touch up painting being done - they don't seem to be in any hurry to give it up.

[Stargeezr]

How did this much development happen before the local people started complaining.

The people should have made this an issue when the first house or condo was

built. I guess this is just another This Is Thailand problem.  Well the judges and

developers faces should be totally lost, and the present government had better

get these buildings destroyed if they actually want to be in power in the future.

Geezer

[Burma Bill]

From the photos, in the dry season with forest fires and a strong breeze - problem solved

[IAMHERE]

IF the army can not get this corrected by the election time then why vote for guns that can not get the job done?

[lordblackader]

Quote

More than 1,000 people from around the country gathered at Tha Pae Gate

That number has been pulled out of thin air, or, as is more likely the case a number made up by the protest group.

There were 1,000 at the last protest and the crowd this time was multiple times smaller - look at any of the video and pictures taken. Maybe 300 but no where close to 1,000. 

[Cadbury]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

"....adviser Chatchawan Thongdeelert said that....... the government had made no commitment to removing the buildings"

That sums it up nicely. These judges aren't going anywhere.

 

6 hours ago, webfact said:

"....traditional northern ritual intended to curse the housing project, which involved burning chilli and salt".

Yep, that should work; just like kissing frogs works for the PM.