PHUKET'S local authorities need to band together to enforce the law, says the chief of the Natural Resources and Environment Department of Phuket, Ong-art Chanacharnmongkol.
Residents must also take care of the environment as the island develops, Khun Ong-art added.
He told Phuketwan that Phuket's natural attractions were the main reason why people came to Phuket, so any development had to come with conservation as a priority.
''If you forget about conservation, then the future of Phuket will be lost,'' he said.
Khun Ong-art, an advocate for preserving the 80 metre height limit on development, said it was a means of retaining Phuket's natural beauty.
''Phuket has grown very quickly without any controls except for the 80 metre limit,'' he said. ''Without the 80 metre limit, the green vista in the hills and the pleasant environment it presents would be gone.''
Khun Ong-art said another issue was the islands off Phuket. ''One authority cannot control what happens next,
''All authorities need to be involved in issues such as garbage disposal, waste water, and future development.
''Private companies also need to cooperate. Environmental Impact Assessments are an important means of protection.''
He said that even the government needed to undergo EIA checks on public projects.
Asked why some projects were above 80 metres, Khun Ong-art said that he did not have power to approve building projects, only to ensure EIA checks were made.
''Mayors are the people who give final approval for construction,'' he said.
''The 80 metre limit for Phuket was created 13 years ago,'' he said. It has to be renewed every five years.
Asked about the accuracy of Google Earth, which shows properties above 80 metres on Phuket, he said: ''Google Earth is not accepted as a legitimate method of accurately measuring the height of anything.
''If you show me an official survey, then I will believe what the figures say.''
Of the 3000 rai of Bang Kanun, cleared of timber by thieves on Phuket's uplands, he said there were 260 people who now claimed title to segments of the cleared land.
Each of them would need to prove they had been farming in the area before April 30, 1987, to win their cases.
Phuket Beach Party Draws 2000 - and CriticsResidents must also take care of the environment as the island develops, Khun Ong-art added.
He told Phuketwan that Phuket's natural attractions were the main reason why people came to Phuket, so any development had to come with conservation as a priority.
''If you forget about conservation, then the future of Phuket will be lost,'' he said.
Khun Ong-art, an advocate for preserving the 80 metre height limit on development, said it was a means of retaining Phuket's natural beauty.
''Phuket has grown very quickly without any controls except for the 80 metre limit,'' he said. ''Without the 80 metre limit, the green vista in the hills and the pleasant environment it presents would be gone.''
Khun Ong-art said another issue was the islands off Phuket. ''One authority cannot control what happens next,
''All authorities need to be involved in issues such as garbage disposal, waste water, and future development.
''Private companies also need to cooperate. Environmental Impact Assessments are an important means of protection.''
He said that even the government needed to undergo EIA checks on public projects.
Asked why some projects were above 80 metres, Khun Ong-art said that he did not have power to approve building projects, only to ensure EIA checks were made.
''Mayors are the people who give final approval for construction,'' he said.
''The 80 metre limit for Phuket was created 13 years ago,'' he said. It has to be renewed every five years.
Asked about the accuracy of Google Earth, which shows properties above 80 metres on Phuket, he said: ''Google Earth is not accepted as a legitimate method of accurately measuring the height of anything.
''If you show me an official survey, then I will believe what the figures say.''
Of the 3000 rai of Bang Kanun, cleared of timber by thieves on Phuket's uplands, he said there were 260 people who now claimed title to segments of the cleared land.
Each of them would need to prove they had been farming in the area before April 30, 1987, to win their cases.
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Yes, lets have some law enforcement!
1. Stop prostitution
2.Stop tuc tucs driving drunk and drugged.
3.Put the people who attack tourists, and Thais, into prison.
4.Check the mini vans and buses , many of which have fatal accidents.
5.Get some traffic lights on busy roads ,Airport road, Patong, Karon, everywhere.
6. Put some radars there while you are at it, lots of Baht to be gained here !
7.Enforce helmuts and licenses for motor bikes AND helmuts for passengers !
8.How about some zebra crossings in the towns , (especially Patong, Taweewong, and Rat hutit also Phuket city) to enable people in this 1st class island to be able to cross a road !
9. Eliminate copy watches, clothes, bags, which are all openly on sale EVERYWHERE.
10. Ban the touts and rip off merchants.
Wow, you have a lot of work on your hands before even attacking the 80 metre law !
Maybe, once all that is done will people come here really to appreciate the beautiful island it once was.
Posted by elizabeth on February 21, 2010 23:07