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PHUKET: A village complained yesterday of being ripped off over a water shortage - a cry that is being heard quite widely across Phuket.
From Patong in the west to the east coast and north to south, taps still run dry on Phuket. And yesterday, it was the turn of the Irawadee estate in Vichit, south of Phuket City, to complain loudly.
''We've had no water for 10 days,'' said resident Kongkaphan Suwannapak. ''This shortage happens every month.
''We have to buy in truckloads of water at 300 baht each. But the odd thing is, we still get bills from the local council, even when they can't supply us with water.
''The council officials all sit in their air-conditioned offices and never seem especially worried about whether we have water flowing or not.''
The complaints of the Irawadee villagers are echoed in parts of Patong and along the tourist west coast where water trucks are also needed, and where residents say the truckloads of water supplied are often too dirty for tourists to shower in.
While Phuket officials deny Phuket has a water shortage, the regular on-tap supply appears too difficult to maintain across the whole island.
Patong residents are adding water supply to a long list of issues they would like the newly elected mayor to address.
Meanwhile, the Irawadee residents may be toying with the prospect of a traditional street blockade one of these days - the only proven way of getting Phuket authorities to react and do their jobs.
From Patong in the west to the east coast and north to south, taps still run dry on Phuket. And yesterday, it was the turn of the Irawadee estate in Vichit, south of Phuket City, to complain loudly.
''We've had no water for 10 days,'' said resident Kongkaphan Suwannapak. ''This shortage happens every month.
''We have to buy in truckloads of water at 300 baht each. But the odd thing is, we still get bills from the local council, even when they can't supply us with water.
''The council officials all sit in their air-conditioned offices and never seem especially worried about whether we have water flowing or not.''
The complaints of the Irawadee villagers are echoed in parts of Patong and along the tourist west coast where water trucks are also needed, and where residents say the truckloads of water supplied are often too dirty for tourists to shower in.
While Phuket officials deny Phuket has a water shortage, the regular on-tap supply appears too difficult to maintain across the whole island.
Patong residents are adding water supply to a long list of issues they would like the newly elected mayor to address.
Meanwhile, the Irawadee residents may be toying with the prospect of a traditional street blockade one of these days - the only proven way of getting Phuket authorities to react and do their jobs.
No water and they keep building and building, are they mad.
And look at the building projects closed down because banks refuse to loan more money, this is a Phuket property bust in progress right now.
Posted by Dan on May 6, 2014 08:45