Phuket governor calls for probe into Laem Nga beach blockade

[snoop1130]

 

Phuket Vice Governor Sattha Thongkham demanded a probe into the barricading of privately owned land at Lemg Nga, located at the northern edge of Koh Siray, which has obstructed public access to Laem Nga Beach.

 

This directive came on the heels of a protest by local villagers on-site on March 7. The locals voiced their demand for the restoration of public access to the beach. They held up banners and chanted slogans, accusing private business owners of monopolizing public land for their sole benefit.

 

Despite the presence of law enforcement officers overseeing the protest, the event remained peaceful with no reports of violence. Following the demonstration, Vice Governor Sattha invited the protesters’ representatives to join a discussion at the Phuket Provincial Hall later that afternoon. Other attendees included Ratsada Mayor Nakarin Yosaengrat and several other officials.

 

During the dialogue, the villagers put forth a list of demands, the crux of which was the immediate reopening of access to Laem Nga Beach by the private sector. They further requested the private landowner to enhance the pathway to the beach, ensure cleanliness, and set up electric lights to make the path safe for nighttime use. They also sought an official inquiry into the legality of the land’s ownership and acquisition.

 

The villagers explained that the 1.5 kilometres long and 10 metres wide road leading to the beach was a public path constructed by the Department of Rural Roads in 2016, and was officially recognized as Rural Road PorKor 4097. They expressed their disappointment that despite previous inspections of the area and negotiations with the landowner, Laem Nga Development Co Ltd, no further action had been taken after the road was shut down.

 

Interestingly, the company claimed ownership of the land on which the last 468-metre stretch of the road to the beach was constructed. Ratsada Mayor Nakarin revealed that he had already initiated a dialogue with the landowner, who had agreed to reopen beach access within 15 days. However, he also noted that some villagers had already started removing the tin panels blocking the beach access, reported Phuket News.

 

Given the situation, Vice Governor Sattha issued three distinct directives for the investigation of the road access to the beach and the land ownership. These orders were specifically addressed to the Phuket Provincial Damrongdharma Center (provincial ombudsman’s office), the Mueang District Chief, and the Phuket Land Office.

 

By Mitch Connor

Caption: Photo courtesy of PR Phuket

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-03-08

 

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[stevenl]

Lol, "Despite the presence of law enforcement officers overseeing the protest, the event remained peaceful with no reports of violence. ".

So normally law enforcement officers encite violence.

 

But they're right, no blocking of sea access.

[Tropicalevo]

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

They further requested the private landowner to enhance the pathway to the beach, ensure cleanliness, and set up electric lights to make the path safe for nighttime use. They also sought an official inquiry into the legality of the land’s ownership and acquisition.

So the Thais want the owner to pay for the extra facilities, even though they are looking for ways to kick them off the land?

[RobU]

46 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

So the Thais want the owner to pay for the extra facilities, even though they are looking for ways to kick them off the land?

Yes the owner should pay for illegally blocking access to the beach and this is a way of showing remorse 

[RobU]

14 hours ago, stevenl said:

Lol, "Despite the presence of law enforcement officers overseeing the protest, the event remained peaceful with no reports of violence. ".

So normally law enforcement officers encite violence.

 

But they're right, no blocking of sea access.

It's the Thaiger reporting what do you expect🤣

Edited March 9 by RobU

[PETERTHEEATER]

Minister Anutin had earlier voiced his concern that the Phuket Governor was attending a Fair in Berlin when there were 'issues' in Phuket which required his presence. I assume therefore that the Governor instructed his deputy to take care of this particular problem.

[PETERTHEEATER]

Phuket governor calls for probe into Laem Nga beach blockade

 

He's calling from Berlin? He is not mentioned in the article.

[Srikcir]

7 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

So the Thais want the owner to pay for the extra facilities, even though they are looking for ways to kick them off the land?

If the pathway is deemed a public right-of-way, it should be the responsibility of the Province to assure safe public use. Whether that ROW must be a 24-hour ROW vs daylight only can be questioned.

[Liverpool Lou]

On 3/9/2024 at 8:25 AM, Tropicalevo said:

So the Thais want the owner to pay for the extra facilities, even though they are looking for ways to kick them off the land?

I think that got lost in the Thaiger's translation, the Bangkok Post reported that the municipality office would have to improve the road and install lighting, not the development company, which makes more sense.

[Liverpool Lou]

Interesting that the development company that has been trespassing on the public access land for the last ten years has asked for 15 days grace so that it has time to re-fence its property to prevent trespassing!

[Mike Lister]

A lengthy post containing bullet points, has been removed because it was not relevant to the story in the OP.

 

And a response to it.