Koh Lanta community 'powerless' for two decades

Phuket Gazette

The village children still have to do their school homework by oil lamp or candlelight, says 58-year-old Baan Klong Jak resident Wanna Lieamkaew. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

The villagers of Baan Klong Jak on Koh Lanta Noi, Krabi, say they have been calling for mains power supply from more than two decades. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- More than 20 families of Baan Klong Jak on Koh Lanta Noi, in Krabi have repeated their plea for their village to be provided mains supply electricity.

Although a new road to the village was cut through the jungle two years ago, the community still lacks electricity, and continues to be dependent on oil lamps for lighting, as it has for over 20 years.

“We have been asking for electricity for more than 20 years,” said 58-year-old Wanna Lieamkaew.

“Every organization ignores us. At night, the children have to study by oil lamp light or candlelight,” she said.

The residents said they filed complaints to the Koh Lanta Noi Tambon Administrative Organization (OrBorTor), but never received a response.

However, Bon Jamsai, President of the Koh Lanta Noi OrBorTor, told the Phuket Gazette, “We contacted the Krabi Provincial Electricity Authority [PEA], but they said that installing power cables to supply each house in the community would cost more than 3 million baht.

“They explained that they are restricted to allocating budgets to a maximum of 50,000 baht per household,” he explained.

With the Baan Klong Jak community comprising only 20 homes, the Krabi PEA can allocate a maximum budget of only 1mn baht to install power cables to the village.

“Therefore, the Koh Lanta Noi OrBorTor has to provide the rest of the money, which is why the help is so slow in coming,” Mr Bon said.

“However, I will try my best to deal with this problem. Hopefully by 2014 the Krabi PEA will be able to supply electricity to the community,” he added.

Source: http://www.phuketgaz...ticle16351.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2012-07-05

That's ridiculous!!!!

That's ridiculous!!!!

Very... I live in a small temple out in the country about 14 kilometers from Khok Samrong, Lopburi. I've been there for 5 years. 2 years ago, we finally got electricity. We had to pay for the lines to be strung out to there.. cost about 2 million baht.

In this modern day and age, it's ridiculous to have a village with out electricity. Everything can't come down to money. That's why we have National governments. To help support the people when local governments cannot.

Look at the Brite side,...who needs to see their Shadow after sundown?

That's ridiculous!!!!

Why ridiculous where we live there is no electric we use generator at night time ,there is many places still in Thailand with no electric most of them will just use generators when needed.