PHUKET: Illegal developers have destroyed between 70 and 100 rai of Phuket's precious mangroves to earmark for filling in with soil to sell land at 100,000 baht a plot.
The massive destruction in the Klong Mu Dong Mangrove Forest on Chalong Bay was viewed today by shocked officials.
The unnamed developers apparently were well on their way to begin selling the plots. About half the forest has disappeared.
It's a mystery how the project got so far without anyone notifying authorities.
The forest is alongside the Ao Yon Khao Khad Road. The plots were intended for sale at the poorest end of the Phuket property market.
Vice Governor Somkiet Sangkaosutthirak led a deputation from Phuket Provincial Hall in Phuket City today to view the destruction.
He was accompanied by representatives from the Natural Resources and Environment Department and Phuket Marine Office 5, which oversees shorefront protection, and local Chalong authorities.
The destruction of the mangroves is among the most outrageous encroachments of public land on Phuket even though encroachment of Phuket public land has become an art form.
The operation mostly took place at night, the vice governor was told.
It's not known whether Phuket authorities aim to replace the mangroves or leave the soil in place for building.
The massive destruction in the Klong Mu Dong Mangrove Forest on Chalong Bay was viewed today by shocked officials.
The unnamed developers apparently were well on their way to begin selling the plots. About half the forest has disappeared.
It's a mystery how the project got so far without anyone notifying authorities.
The forest is alongside the Ao Yon Khao Khad Road. The plots were intended for sale at the poorest end of the Phuket property market.
Vice Governor Somkiet Sangkaosutthirak led a deputation from Phuket Provincial Hall in Phuket City today to view the destruction.
He was accompanied by representatives from the Natural Resources and Environment Department and Phuket Marine Office 5, which oversees shorefront protection, and local Chalong authorities.
The destruction of the mangroves is among the most outrageous encroachments of public land on Phuket even though encroachment of Phuket public land has become an art form.
The operation mostly took place at night, the vice governor was told.
It's not known whether Phuket authorities aim to replace the mangroves or leave the soil in place for building.
"It's a mystery how the project got so far without anyone notifying authorities."
I guess it might depend on the capacity of pockets involved...
Posted by Fritz Pinguin on January 4, 2013 00:36