Rassada municipality investigated over canal dredging project

Rassada municipality investigated over canal dredging project
Eakkapop Thongtub


The residents protested the lack of action taken to prevent their homes from collapsing. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- Rassada Municipality is under investigation as to why it has not upheld an agreement to compensate residents Thanapa Park View 2 housing estate for repairs to seven homes and a collapsed boundary caused by excavation of a canal that runs behind through the estate.

The residents protested the lack of action taken to prevent their homes from collapsing. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

Phuket Governor Nisit Jansomwong ordered Vice Governor Somkiet Songkhaosuttirak to lead the investigation after receiving a formal complaint filed at Provincial Hall yesterday (July 20).

Rassada Municipality two years ago hired a contractor to excavate a canal that runs behind seven homes at the estate, explained Treyamat Nuansri, manager of Thai Samsung Life Insurance.

Since the excavation work was done, natural erosion of the canal’s banks caused the boundary wall behind the seven homes to collapse.

“Residents asked Rassada Municipality to repair the wall, but municipal officials told them to come back with an estimated cost and reconstruction plan, which residents did,” Mr Treyamat said.

Then, for two years, nothing was done to prevent further erosion along the canal banks, he added.

“At negotiations at Phuket Court on May 12 this year, Rassada Municipality chief administration officer Dachakanee Leelanon agreed to pay compensation to the seven home owners and to fix the damaged wall within 60 days,” Mr Treyamat said.

“The due date has come and gone – and nothing has been done.”

One of the residents at the meeting yesterday explained, “Now we are afraid that our houses might come down because the land in the backyard has already gone.”

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/rassada-municipality-investigated-over-canal-dredging-project-53297.php


-- Phuket News 2015-07-21