Koh Chang businessman fights illegal jetties causing coastal erosion
A business operator in Koh Chang appealed to the Interior Ministry’s Damrongdharma Centre to assist in the demolition of two large, unlawfully constructed concrete jetties that he claims are worsening coastal erosion.
Kitti Yimrewat, the businessman, argues that these jetties, which he describes as comparable to buildings due to their massive size, have detrimental effects on nearby coastal areas. He points out that his efforts to have the structures removed have been further delayed as the resort owning the jetties has been granted an additional 150 days following the expiration of an initial 180-day deadline.
Advisors suggested that Kitti petition the Administrative Court regarding the deadline extension, a process that could take approximately a year. Instead, he opted to file his complaint with the Damrongdharma Centre’s Trat office.
Koh Chang Grand View Resort has received a 150-day extension to the original 180-day deadline for demolishing the illegal concrete platforms, with the initial period having expired yesterday. Phira Iam-sunthon, Trat Deputy Governor, explained that the resort cited challenges in executing the demolition to justify its request for an additional 180 days. However, the provincial office of the Marine Department granted only 150 more days.
The new deadline now extends until February 18, and Phira noted that if the resort fails to meet this second deadline, a civil suit will be initiated to compel the resort to pay compensation for the coastal erosion caused by the concrete structures, reported Bangkok Post.
“If the company fails to meet the second deadline, a civil suit will ensue to force it to pay compensation for the coastal erosion these concrete structures are causing.”
In related news, Koh Samui Municipality demolished two luxury villas under construction without proper authorisation on a hillside in Koh Samui. The owners failed to comply with the municipality’s order to carry out the demolition themselves.
