Only 100 Short From City Status But

[churchill]

Only 100 residents short from cityhood but officials unlkely to make further move to avoid election ! according to Samui Express .

and residents say they want a referendum ! Everyone I have spoken to thinks that city status would be good for Samui - as we all know to get much needed extra cash for infrastructure spending etc .

Why do the locals seem to be against it ? What are the arguments for not having City Status .

Apart from the Mayor possibly losing his job if he calls an election I would have thought that most people should be pushing very hard for this to happen .

[mrt273nva]

Only 100 residents short from cityhood but officials unlkely to make further move to avoid election ! according to Samui Express .

and residents say they want a referendum ! Everyone I have spoken to thinks that city status would be good for Samui - as we all know to get much needed extra cash for infrastructure spending etc .

Why do the locals seem to be against it ? What are the arguments for not having City Status .

Apart from the Mayor possibly losing his job if he calls an election I would have thought that most people should be pushing very hard for this to happen .

it would benifit phangan as well. government offices and administration buildings would be located in samui. easier for me anyway.

[sbk]

Officials aren't necessarily following the wishes of the locals, it sounds like to me.

[Mark Wolfe]

A referendum on what?

[SamuiJens]

Is seems the Major doesn't want to loose his power, err, job. But calling for an referendum would be good if it wouldn't be fixed, against city statues, but a fair vote, lets get on the grapevine and push for it! Only 100 or less short, it's not a BIG problem. Thanks for the update Churchhill!

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Only 100 residents short from cityhood but officials unlkely to make further move to avoid election ! according to Samui Express .

and residents say they want a referendum ! Everyone I have spoken to thinks that city status would be good for Samui - as we all know to get much needed extra cash for infrastructure spending etc .

Why do the locals seem to be against it ? What are the arguments for not having City Status .

Apart from the Mayor possibly losing his job if he calls an election I would have thought that most people should be pushing very hard for this to happen .

[limbos]

Ever seen a fair vote in Thailand?

[John 1]

I don't know about a fair vote, but have you ever heard of a referendum in Thailand, as for city status and more money stop dreaming, even with more money what are they going to spend it on, you can't make the roads any wider or run sewerage lines.

[ClaudeFeller]

It is a lot to do, if there is enough money there will be no more excuse for doing nothing.

They could built bypass-roads around Nahton, around Maenam, around Chaweng, around Hua Thanon, then the traffic problem would disappear.

They could spent money for schools, for green areas, for wastemanagment.

They could promote the idea of an "Green Koh Samui" with usage of rainwater and solarpower.

The money is not the biggest problem. The main problem is a terrible lack of mainpower and knowledge.

Here in Nathon, we have a group of the civil society that tries to establish a long-term planning, it is difficult but we can succeed (see: Nathon Masterplan.

I think this is the only way: Every city on Samui must establish a social group that is concerned about the planning and that can push the local government in the right direction. And there are enough of local peoples with good ideas - you just have to find them!

The city status will just help to collect the money more easiliy.

Cheers, Claude

[John 1]

Claude,

Looking at the Nathon master plan it's a nice idea but in reality do you think you will see it, as for bypass roads another good idea all this has been brought up before, the easiest way to solve some of the traffic problem would be to move some of the government offices and banks out of Nathon to the populated areas of Chaweng and Lamia. A road from Bophut to Nathon across the mountain range would also help.

[ClaudeFeller]

John1,

The Nathon masterplan will come, not in the design you can see now, but sth. like that.

The trafficproblem in Nathon is not due to the government offices and banks but due to the traffic passing through Nathon towarsd other destinations.

I dont wanna see a road through the mountain, let us keep the mountain like they are now.

[Pilchard]

I dont wanna see a road through the mountain, let us keep the mountain like they are now.

I agree with you Claude but it has already started , there is already a road accross the mountains from Maenam to lamai, not finshed last time I drove it but passable. I fear this road is not about convienience but about opening up access to more saleable land

[Samuiclaudia]

I dont wanna see a road through the mountain, let us keep the mountain like they are now.

I agree with you Claude but it has already started , there is already a road accross the mountains from Maenam to lamai, not finshed last time I drove it but passable. I fear this road is not about convienience but about opening up access to more saleable land

There is also a very passable road now going from the Lipa Noi end of Nathon over to Maenam.

[meatgrowler]

I dont wanna see a road through the mountain, let us keep the mountain like they are now.

I agree with you Claude but it has already started , there is already a road accross the mountains from Maenam to lamai, not finshed last time I drove it but passable. I fear this road is not about convienience but about opening up access to more saleable land

Road from maenam to lamai? sounds fun,where does the road begin pilchard? ive gotta have a go!.....must have some crackin views

[Pilchard]

Road from maenam to lamai? sounds fun,where does the road begin pilchard? ive gotta have a go!.....must have some crackin views

Turn left at the side of Chub security and just follow it. Will bring you all the wat to tamarind springs Lamai

Would recomend either 4x4 or dirt bike. Two up on a honda dream ain't gonna work !

It might have improved by now, and you're right the views are good.

[ClaudeFeller]

I have nothing against a road from Maenam to Lamai if it is already half completed and if the trucks and the pickups will use it. Peoples will only use a new road if it is faster and more convenient (dont have to mention that Samui peoples are very hard to change their sleeping minds).

Cheers, Claude