Waves Destroys Homes on Libong Island: Residents Left Homeless

[Georgealbert]

 

 

Residents of Mod Tanoi Village on Libong Island, Trang province, are calling for government assistance after a 4 metre high wave destroyed homes, leaving many without shelter.

The high waves, measuring between 3 to 4 metres, devastated coastal homes, many of which had legal ownership documents. Of the 15 homes affected, 8 were completely destroyed, while 7 suffered partial damage. Debris and scattered belongings littered the area, with residents having been unable to evacuate all of their possessions in time.

 

 

For homes partially damaged, villagers are living in fear of more waves and have begun dismantling their properties, removing roof tiles, wooden frames, doors, and windows to save materials for future use.

 

Local officials have provided immediate assistance, bringing heavy machinery to clear the beach and using fallen trees as a temporary barrier against further damage. However, villagers fear that the waves, expected to intensify in the coming days, could cause more destruction. This latest disaster follows similar incidents in the past, with severe coastal erosion having claimed homes over the years.

 

Anupong Temkot, a 39-year-old resident, said, "The waves today, over 3 to 4 metres high, are the strongest I've seen in over a decade. More homes are likely to collapse in the coming days as the sea level rises." He pleaded for government intervention, emphasizing, "Fire might leave us with a place to stay, but these waves take everything, our homes, our land. Many of us are forced to live with relatives or rent temporary accommodation."

 

Another villager, Walaiporn Tingkep, 45, urged the government to provide new housing for displaced families. "Three to four families are now crammed into a single rental home. We don't know how long this can go on," she said, tearfully recounting the destruction. The estimated damage for each home ranges between 200,000 to 400,000 baht, with some villagers struggling to salvage their belongings before the waves swept through.

 

Nattawat Taleluk, the village headman, highlighted the severity of the situation. "This is the worst destruction I've ever seen. Without intervention, this entire community could be lost to the sea within the next few years," he warned. Despite earlier promises of government funding for a seawall, no progress has been made, leaving the villagers vulnerable to future storms.

 

With over 367 households and a population of more than 1,100 in Mod Tanoi Village, the need for long-term solutions is urgent. Villagers continue to wait for sustainable government action to prevent further erosion and provide safe living conditions.

 

-- 2024-09-19

 

[ChrisY1]

I thought all beaches were Royal property....but this house in built on the beach??

[Gottfrid]

Another in the line of news where homes are built too close to the beach or on the beach. Yet again, they are calling for government assistance. Why is that? There are insurances, that most people in the world have for their houses, but not in Thailand. The simply reason for that is, people can not go after rules, which would invalidate an insurance or kill the insurance companies. The government has nothing to do with that stupid people are building their houses in risky and unsafe places.

[KhunLA]

No zoning law enforcement ?   Surely there's a zoning law, pertaining to building within certain distance to high tide mark.  Most are at least 50 meters.  Example from Phuket zoning, and you can see how the laws are ignored:

 

"Height Restriction Examples (source)

It gets even more complicated depending on how far you are from the beach. The laws changed in or during 1997 and were issued by the Ministry of Science on building heights. They made the following rules with regards to height and distance from the beach (high tide mark):

 

– Area 1: 50 meters inland, the maximum height is 6 meters;

– Also Area 2: 50 meters inland to 200 meters the maximum height 12 meters;

– Area 3: 200 meters to 400 meters the maximum height is 16 meters;

– Anywhere else, the maximum height is 23 meters."

 

Phuket also doesn't allow building on a 35° pitch or more ... hmm.  Even 25-35° have restrictions.   Landslides in the news lately ... go figure.

[hotchilli]

8 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

He pleaded for government intervention, emphasizing, "Fire might leave us with a place to stay, but these waves take everything, our homes, our land. Many of us are forced to live with relatives or rent temporary accommodation."

Build on the shore line you take the risk... did you insure yourself against flood damage?