HUNDREDS OF FRUSTRATED PROTESTORS BLOCK LA ROYALE CONDO PROJECT IN PATTAYA

Closing roads and other public venues seems to be becoming a popular trend for protesters all over Thailand at the moment. This time, the protest occurred in front of the La Royale Condo, on Jomtien Beach, Pattaya. Hundreds of protesters had gathered to demand that their project manager pay them over 6 month‘s back pay.

Pol. Lt. Col. Gritsiri Prasertchoke, Najomtien Chief Inspector, Sattahip Constabulary, was notified at 1.00 pm, on 4 February, 2009, that hundreds of workers were protesting in front of the large condominium project in Pattaya. A team of 10 officials was sent to investigate the incident.

At the scene, police found the protesters had closed the entrance to the condo, sporting some prominent signs reading "We are here because we need to get paid".

Mr. Wittaya Cheunprasert [30] from Pratumthani Province, the project engineer, said the workers had not been paid for 6 months. The Hong Kong Chinese investor apparently keeps postponing payment of wages. Mr. Wittaya explained that the project had been operational for about 18 months and started to have financial problems 6 months ago. The project currently owes construction material supply companies about Bt60 million.

Mr. Wittaya also said he, personally, had helped out a lot by selling his cars, pawning his houses and other possessions etc. but he can no longer continue to help financially any more.

Initially, the investor, Mr. Eric, an American Chinese national, had offered Bt300,000, but the protesters were not satisfied and were prepared to wait until their demands are met in full.

However, after police had restored some semblance of order, the protesters sent their representative to negotiate with Mr. Eric and gave him a deadline of 10.00 pm. Monday. Mr. Wittaya added that they will not stop their protest until they are satisfied.

La Royale, Jomtien Beach, is located on a 10 Rai plot of land. They have been building single houses and a 34-storey condo of 24,000 SQM; equivalent to 50% of the area. There are 150 units selling at Bt76,000 per sq.m. The total value of the project is Bt1.5 billion.

Article.

Oh look!

A tent embassy.

(Ausies explain to the rest please)

Oh look!

A tent embassy.

(Ausies explain to the rest please)

Not quite , you need the Transport Workers Union &/or the ALS (Aboriginal Legal Service)