PHUKET: The highly-regarded Village Coconut Island project has been given time to correct anomalies in permits and to overcome persistent runoff into the sea from Phase II construction.
Managing Director Chris Gordon told Vice Governor Somkiet Samgkaosutthirak yesterday that the project's consultants had failed to inform him about the need for the luxury property development, on the island of Maphrao off the east coast of Phuket, to conform to regulations.
Vice Governor Somkiet visited the development early last month following complaints from nearby island residents that bad water was being discharged into the ocean.
The bad water claim was disproved by management, but runoff from the construction of Phase II of the project in heavy monsoon rains has meant that people passing the development on ferries and other vessels continue to lodge complaints.
Islanders who live off the east coast of Phuket have a deep regard for traditional lifestyles and the region's marine environment and are inclined to resent big construction projects.
Yesterday Mr Gordon said he was happy to cooperate with authorities and hoped to comply with regulations ''within one or two months.''
Vice Governor Somkiet said that the development was required to register as a hotel, and that investors on Phuket had the responsibility of understanding and accepting their obligations.
The vice governor also said the project had yet to be approved by the Phuket Governor's special committee on the environment, which was set up by former Governor Wichai Praisa-ngob to overcome deficiencies in the environmental approvals process.
Managing Director Chris Gordon told Vice Governor Somkiet Samgkaosutthirak yesterday that the project's consultants had failed to inform him about the need for the luxury property development, on the island of Maphrao off the east coast of Phuket, to conform to regulations.
Vice Governor Somkiet visited the development early last month following complaints from nearby island residents that bad water was being discharged into the ocean.
The bad water claim was disproved by management, but runoff from the construction of Phase II of the project in heavy monsoon rains has meant that people passing the development on ferries and other vessels continue to lodge complaints.
Islanders who live off the east coast of Phuket have a deep regard for traditional lifestyles and the region's marine environment and are inclined to resent big construction projects.
Yesterday Mr Gordon said he was happy to cooperate with authorities and hoped to comply with regulations ''within one or two months.''
Vice Governor Somkiet said that the development was required to register as a hotel, and that investors on Phuket had the responsibility of understanding and accepting their obligations.
The vice governor also said the project had yet to be approved by the Phuket Governor's special committee on the environment, which was set up by former Governor Wichai Praisa-ngob to overcome deficiencies in the environmental approvals process.
Of course the environment must be protected, but people should also be reminded of the enormous challenge these investors took building on an island that doesn't even have electricity.
Posted by Philip on October 15, 2011 08:11
Editor Comment:
Was the challenge undertaken to improve the environment and the life of locals, or to make money? I don't think the developers were altruists. Do you?