Koh Kaew Residents Find Hope Amidst Decade-Long Infrastructure Battle

Residents of Koh Kaew, Phuket, have finally received a glimmer of hope after enduring years of unpaved roads and lack of electricity. The longstanding issues centre on Soi Nanachat 2 (Im Mi Phi Man), where approximately 1 kilometre of road remains unfinished and without public electricity, despite ongoing government efforts.

The turning point came during a tense meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall on Tuesday, led by Vice Governor Adul Chuthong and organised by the Phuket Provincial Ombudsman’s Office. The meeting gathered frustrated locals alongside representatives from several government agencies, including the Koh Kaew Administrative Organisation (OrBorTor), the Phuket Provincial Land Office, and the Provincial Electricity Authority.

At the heart of the problem is a land dispute involving a plot with title deed number 62107. The plot’s landowner, who had previously dedicated the land for public use in 2008, is now attempting to reclaim the property, thus halting further construction. This conflict has left the road incomplete for over a decade, causing significant inconvenience for residents.

During the meeting, villagers voiced their concerns passionately, while the landowner staunchly defended their position. Despite the heated exchange, a pathway to resolution emerged.

The session concluded with a commitment to clarify the boundaries of the disputed land. The Koh Kaew OrBorTor will collaborate with the Phuket Provincial Land Office to conduct a detailed land survey and gather necessary evidence. This initiative aims to definitively resolve the land ownership issue and restart infrastructure development, bringing much-needed relief to the Koh Kaew community.

With a detailed land survey on the horizon, Koh Kaew residents are cautiously optimistic, hoping this marks the beginning of the end of their infrastructural limbo.

File photo for reference only

-- 2024-09-05

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