Thousands Of Residents Protest Canal Filling

[Jai Dee]

PROTESTORS IN LADKRABANG ARE OPPOSING STATE RAILWAY'S FILLING UP OF A CANAL FOR ACCOMODATING SUVARNABHUMI RAIL LINK

More than 3,000 local residents in Ladkrabang (ลาดกระบัง) District yesterday staged a protest against the filling of a canal in the locality in order to adjust the terrain for accomodating the rail link to the Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Bangkok Councilor from Ladkrabang District Wisoot Samretwanit (วิสูตร สำเร็จวาณิชย์) said the locals have gathered to oppose the State Railway of Thailand's work to fill up the Prawet_buriram (ประเวศบุรีรัมย์) canal, or Khlong Khaek (คลองแขก), as they argue that the canal was a public waterway which helped to drain water in times of heavy rain. The locals have again submitted a letter to the governor of the State Railway of Thailand requesting the State Railway cease the work, after several previous submissions that failed to satisfy their demand. The locals insist they would continue the protest if the call was not heeded.

The State Railway of Thailand is adjusting the terrain at the canal to build residence quarters for a rail-side community which would have to be evicted as it stood in the path of the rail link to the Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 24 November 2005

[astral]

Don't these dumbo's remember the floods in the early 80's

The canals are not just ornamental.

They have a real function..................