Thailand’s Phra Thong islanders petition in favour of water retention project

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Villagers on Phra Thong Island, in the southern province of Phang-nga, have been collecting signatures to support a water retention project on the island, in an effort to break an impasse between the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) and the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR).

 

The DMCR has ordered an immediate stop to the land clearing operation for the project, claiming that it has encroached on mangrove forests and that no permission has been granted by the department for the use of the land.

 

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The RID and the Phra Thong Island Tambon (sub-district) Administrative Organisation (TAO) are, however, insisting that it is state land and permission for its use was granted by the Phang-nga governor in 1985.

 

Ouaychai Meechai, construction chief of the RID office in Surat Thani, said that the 350 million baht project is an extension of the existing 4.8 hectare water retention area, to cover a total of 72 hectares, including 53.44 hectares of state land, for which utilisation permission has already been granted.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailands-phra-thong-islanders-petition-in-favour-of-water-retention-project/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-04-25

 

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