In endeavours to cope with the rising population and better serve the tourist sector,

Pattaya City Hall recently held a meeting with residents, officials from the town hall and representatives from the Banglamung District, Nongprue Municipality, Pong Municipality, Nongplalai Municipality,Najomtien, and Huay Yai Municipality.

Pattaya City Deputy Mayor, Mr. Ronnakij Ekkasing, announced that the city had hired a private company to conduct research into the present City structure and how it can be improved to the benefit of residents and tourists alike. He admitted that in the past the voices of resident’s wishes had not always been heard, he has pledged to change this, and when the final study from the company is presented, he will arrange a City Referendum.

He believes this will give everyone an opportunity to have their voice heard and a say in the direction the City takes in the future. This is only one of the ways the City is endeavouring to take policy decisions away from politicians and putting them in the hands of the people who count.

With the publishing of the report’s findings, a new strategy will be planned, the referendum will take place, and still, any resident will have 90 days to lodge objections to any of the proposals.

Source:

http://www.pattayatoday.net/index.php?acti...ews&id=6424

And this private consultant is the brother-in-law of which elected official?

In most places an election or referendum would include all registered residents of the area.

That is not the case in Pattaya - the electoral roll embraces only a small fraction of the total (Thai) population and none of the expatriates who now live here permanently.

It is extremely difficult to believe that anything will be done, unless it is to the benefit of those who control the reins of power.