Environmental Concern

[yetifella]

Recently a new resort has begun construction on seethanu beach on Koh Phangan's west coast, the area is to the north of laemson bungalows and is part of the pine grove surrounding Laeson Lake. Unfortunately part of the pine grove close to the beach has been cleared causing the corrosion of soil around the area, it now appears that in order to tackle the problem the land owner has laid a wall of concrete rings (appox 250-300) half way down the beach. This has turned what used to be a beautiful area into something that resembles the d-day landings. So much for Koh Phangan’s ‘Eco-tourism’ does anyone have any advice on how this problem maybe addressed?

[sbk]

Construction on the beach is illegal, send an anonymous tip to the land dept or Port authority.

[SamuiJens]

But that doesn't get the trees back, BUT SHOULD be reported ASAP! Agree on THAT.

[SamuiJens]

A stop to ALL illegal activities by developers and others SHOULD BE REPORTED as soon as it is noticed, else Samui will be the latest Pattaya. I think Most people living here will agree on this!

[Khun Jean]

I had my share of reporting illegal things to the local police.

Did they do anything about it, i think they laughed very hard amongst themselves when i walked out the door.

Did it inspire me to go on, no.

[sbk]

Not the police, the land dept or the Port authority. The port authority office is the small building on the main pier opposite the Seatrans/Lomprayah office.

The police have nothing to do with it.

[Rooo]

Koh Tan,the whole west embankment is being deforested.

[sbk]

Koh Tan,the whole west embankment is being deforested.

Is Koh Tan privately owned land or national park?

[Rooo]

I know a few people that own / lease land there.As for the general status of the island I'll have to check with some locals & get back.But it looks so sad,destabilising the whole embankment & big scars.

[sbk]

Rooo, I've been watching that happen on Koh Samui for the past few years. The scars in the hillsides are visible from our house. It does look terrible, and as Samui has already learned, has the potential for devastating effects in the rainy season.

[gisele]

Every month or so we go to Samui for the weekend, we drive around wondering at the disappearing trees, the ever increasing dust and what will happen in a few months as the heavy rains come.

It is sad.

Last time a few weeks ago, we saw some new construction backing into a bare cliff, I think it was near Bophut, we could just imagine the landslide, a disaster waiting to happen.

[Gatorade]

I know a few people that own / lease land there.As for the general status of the island I'll have to check with some locals & get back.But it looks so sad,destabilising the whole embankment & big scars.

I stayed there a couple of weeks ago and there was a road and some large drains going in. Could be wrong but it didn't look to me as though it was a logging exercise.It would be interesting to find out what is happening as I understand that it is now part of the National Marine Park and that vehicles are not (supposedly) allowed on the island.

I had the feeling that all this looked like the basic infrastructure being put into place for a large development. It would really be a pity if this was to happen, particularly for the bats and monitor lizards.