Phuket Probe Digs Deep Into 'Missing Hill' Row

[webfact]

Phuket probe digs deep into 'missing hill' row

The investigation team walked around the excavation site to gain

a perspective on the volume of illegal digging done.

Phuket Vice Governor Somkiet points to where the top of the hill used to be.

PHUKET: -- Land owners digging up and selling the earth on their plots in central Phuket has sparked a row from neighbors, who say the extensive excavation work is causing dangerous landslips, for which they are seeking 300,000 baht in compensation.

An investigation headed by Vice Governor Somkiet Sangkhaosutthirak yesterday deemed much of the excavation work on the plot in Srisoonthorn, Thalang, as illegal.

“Our land used to be at the same level, until they began digging,” said Khanitta Mulikabutr, niece of the owner of the adjoining plot, Teunjai Adsin.

“Landslips from adjacent plots have been occurring since November last year, including from our land. Some of our trees have fallen down because of it, so we want them to take responsibility for this,” she added.

Ms Khanitta explained that negotiations had been attempted several times, but failed to reach agreement.

Ms Teunjai, who filed the complaint that sparked the investigation, was seeking 300,000 baht in compensation and demanded that a retaining wall be built to separate the two plots.

V/Gov Somkiet and his team of investigators inspected the site yesterday with the aim of mediating a solution between the parties involved, who include Saowanee Keereekhet and Prapai Mulikabutr, named as owners of the land in question, and Boonkua Sakulchan, the man who organized for the excavation work to be done.

Representing Mr Boonkua, who was in Nakhon Sri Thammarat yesterday, was Panya Keerakhet.

However, Mr Boonkua said he did not have the money to pay Ms Teunjai what she demanded.

“Mr Boonkua would like to offer Ms Teunjai 30,000 baht and the piece of land instead,” Mr Panya said while he was on the phone with Mr Boonkua.

Ms Teunjai declined the offer.

“The land is owned by Ms Saowanee and Ms Prapai. How can he give the land to me? I think they need to discuss this among themselves first,” she said.

V/Gov Somkiet added that much of the excavation work had been done illegally.

“Srisoonthorn Deputy Mayor Nikom said that the OrBorTor [Tambon Administration Organization] gave permission to dig in 2008, but that permit was only for six months,” he said.

“Over the past three years, illegal digging has taken place on this plot on three occasions. Ms Teunjai has reported this to Thalang Police and they will take further action regarding the laws that have been broken,” he added.

As for the negotiations between Ms Teunjai and her neighbors, V/Gov Somkiet assigned the Thalang District Chief and Deputy Mayor Nikom to assist with talks and gather information from both parties.

“I think negotiations can be completed in two days. Once both parties have agreed on the terms, the two men overseeing the talks will take both parties to sign an agreement at the Damrongtham Center,” he said.

Ms Teunjai said she was satisfied with the investigation’s findings.

“If the negotiations do not work, we will proceed in taking legal action against them through our lawyer,” she said.

-- Phuket Gazette 2011-08-05

[JeffreyMcCollum]

Amazing Thailand !

[supaprik]

oh my

[harrry]

They will never be able to prosecite as all the missing dirt has disapeared. Another case of no evidence.

[pmgthailand]

oh my

I am always amazed that when someone or party has broken the law here in Phuket, that it is so difficult to prosecute them.

Money Talks.

Amazing Thailand!!!

[FOODLOVER]

These allegation are groundless!

[blackthorn2005]

"Ms Teunjai, who filed the complaint that sparked the investigation, was seeking 300,000 baht in compensation" Where do they get these figures from? maybe she is related to those ever so nice Thai gentlemen who rent out jet skis on Patong Beach.

[outofoz]

"Ms Teunjai, who filed the complaint that sparked the investigation, was seeking 300,000 baht in compensation" Where do they get these figures from? maybe she is related to those ever so nice Thai gentlemen who rent out jet skis on Patong Beach.

300 000 seems reasonable to help her situation...after all, she is now dirt poor...

[Gumbo]

What are they going to build the wall on?

[snoother]

Funny that you can steal a whole hill in the most touristic island of south east asia without anyone noticing.

[surayu]

I knew that they can manage to steal weird stuff, but an entire hill is beyond my wildest guess Truly amazing Thailand

[Valentine]

In case any of you have not noticed but the topography of Phuket has suffered many changes over the years. Examples can be found all over the island where hills have been degraded or disappeared altogether. The most famous one in my mind is where the pistol range now sits, the one on the Kathu side of the hill from Patong. There was a huge amount of land removed from there all the way to the corner & beyond. I remember a time in Patong when there seemed to be a continuous convoy of dirt trucks coming in.

[surayu]

dirt trucks

Here in the sticks, the current asking price for 1 load is 1.000 Bahts, but in a tourist's area is likely to be much more.....