22 minutes ago, Awohalitsiktoli said:

Do not fall for the myth that the old-growth forest is being destroyed to protect people from falling branches.  I do not have actual data, but to the best of my knowledge only one person has been killed/injured from a falling branch from one of the old-growth trees over the past 30 years, and that took place in 2017.  They started destroying the old growth forest around 2002.  So, one act (i.e. injury/death by a falling branch) did not lead to the other (i.e. tree massacre).  No, something else is compelling the city to destroy the old-growth forest, and most of us know what that something is.

Car parking spots?

1 hour ago, Destiny1990 said:

Car parking spots?

Actually, IMHO, the city seems to be doing what it can to make cars, not people, happy   Both promenades--Jomtien and Pattaya--look like parts of a freeway.  It is so sad to watch them deliberately destroy both beachfronts.  I am not sure if they are aware of how special the old-growth forest is or how important it is for mitigating beach erosion.  I am certain they have no idea what "trimming" means in terms of promoting healthy tree growth.   I doubt that they know or even care that the vast majority of foreigners don't want the palm trees and would rather have the old-growth forests with winding pathways.   They are doing precisely what the vast majority of us do not want them to do, IMHO.  It is a crime against future generations.  Amazing Thailand!

II wonder if a lot of money has changed hands for such destruction of a beach environment to be sanctioned - er, in a beach resort....

I believe a mall could happen too. But there are two large plots of land, one on Tappraya and the other seaside, the question is were both plots sold or just Tappraya (rumor, bought by Siam Paragon group). If both plots sold, I envision multipurpose, condos seaside and shopping mall off Tappraya. In any case, widening the road to accommodate heavy traffic makes no sense. Also, the beach narrows considerably on the north end by VT3 and Adriatic Hotel, so any connectioning road to Pratumnak Soi 5 is impractical. 

If Siam Paragon are involved they will have clout from the top since it is operated between The Mall Group and MBK which is owned by the family of the current tourism minister - MBK are the initials of her grandparents.

16 hours ago, Orac said:

 

If Siam Paragon are involved they will have clout from the top since it is operated between The Mall Group and MBK which is owned by the family of the current tourism minister - MBK are the initials of her grandparents.

Now I have been told by several sources that it is Central group, if so could Siam be far behind? Additionally, there will be a Big C by Jomtien Beach Condominium, just south between Beach and 2nd Rds(that came from JBC). Some think next year that Pattaya casinos are back in the picture since there is a new King. Put everything together and all this could make some sense.