Bangkok: Condo Opponents Plan Supreme Court Appeal

[webfact]

Condo opponents plan Supreme Court appeal

JANJIRA PONGRAI,

PONGPHON SARNSAMAK

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Opponents of a condominium in Siang Son Niwet Village on Soi Sukhumvit 68 in Bangkok say they will take their case to the Supreme Court after the Central Administrative Court ruled in favour of the state environmental agency and the condo's developer yesterday.

The residents had filed a lawsuit against the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP), which had approved the 100-page environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the Sense condominium, which was developed by Suparaj Development Limited Company.

The Central Administrative Court ruled that the ONEP's panel of environmental experts had followed the law by hearing testimonies from relevant parties, including representatives from the developer and local residents. The court also ruled that the construction permit for the project complied with the law.

Wongpun Limpaseni, a 62-year-old resident of Siang Son Niwet Village, said the residents would file an appeal with the Supreme Court.

A group of 31 residents filed a complaint with the Central Administrative Court in 2008, seeking an injunction against construction of the condo.

Wongpun said the eight-storey, 200-unit building has caused traffic jams, water-drainage problems, power blackouts, noise and air pollution. Because of the building's population density, it also poses security problems, he said. Additionally, the building casts a shadow on the village's open space and residential properties. It is located about 400 metres from the Skytrain line.

The residents told the court that they were not included in the developer's environmental impact assessment, therefore it is not in compliance with the 1992 Environmental Quality Protection and Promotion Act.

"The developers did not ask the opinion of people living in the one-kilometre radius who are directly affected by the condominium. They just asked some people who live far away from the construction site," Wongpun said.

Villagers also asked the court to order the relevant authorities to revoke the construction license because the environmental assessment did not follow the law.

Stop Global Warming Association chairperson Srisuwan Janya, who represented a group of local people to hear yesterday's verdict, said he and the residents will file an appeal with the Supreme Court within 30 days.

-- The Nation 2012-11-16

[jaltsc]

Here is today's English lesson. These are commonly used phrases you should memorize and understand before going to court..."The fix is in", "The payoffs have been paid", and of course "Low man on the totem pole". To end today's lesson.."You have a snowball's chance in hell" of winning. Class dismissed.

[asiawatcher]

Here is today's English lesson. These are commonly used phrases you should memorize and understand before going to court..."The fix is in", "The payoffs have been paid", and of course "Low man on the totem pole". To end today's lesson.."You have a snowball's chance in hell" of winning. Class dismissed.

Clear enough for them I hope? The building will be finished by the time the court even looks at it.

[jonclark]

I think the villagers best bet would be to stage a permanent protest (linked to pain, suffering, compassion, karma and buddist teachings - [these condos have bad karma kinked to the suffering they cause the villagers]) outside the development encouraging people (and most Thais are very spiritual, they think tattoos from some monks can protect from gunshots) to not buy condominiums in the block. That would certainly get the developers a bit worried and may force a negotiation especially if sales slump.

The courts, as previous posters have indicated, won't give them any help.

[sprq]

I think the villagers best bet would be to stage a permanent protest (linked to pain, suffering, compassion, karma and buddist teachings - [these condos have bad karma kinked to the suffering they cause the villagers]) outside the development encouraging people (and most Thais are very spiritual, they think tattoos from some monks can protect from gunshots) to not buy condominiums in the block. That would certainly get the developers a bit worried and may force a negotiation especially if sales slump.

The courts, as previous posters have indicated, won't give them any help.

Correction: superstitious, NOT spiritual.

[timewilltell]

Good for the people to stand up against this - Thai justice will I fear not fall on their side as money talks in the arena of Thai justice. Still I suppose a chance for a few more payoffs to be made. I hope David Cameron is watching this thread, understands the risks to UK businesses in this country and takes steps to give the necessary advice!

[Rancid]

Good for the people to stand up against this - Thai justice will I fear not fall on their side as money talks in the arena of Thai justice. Still I suppose a chance for a few more payoffs to be made. I hope David Cameron is watching this thread, understands the risks to UK businesses in this country and takes steps to give the necessary advice!

Oh, outside of family contacts what businesses has David Cameron ever been involved in any way whatsoever? He is there to help business supporters not hinder them so will do as directed, rewards will follow later as per Tony Blair, who is now apparently very, very, very rich, what a shock, who would have guessed?

[Baloney pony]

This is another scenario that shows why it's risky to buy a condo off plan. I can't imagine the nightmare that will ensue if they do end up blocking development then the people who put substantial down payments down for units are screwed. I imagine even when this thing gets built the conflict with the residents could boil over into daily vandalism, possible violence, and sabotage.