Formal complaint made about Phuket OrBorTor chief for inaction over environmental issues
Danai Yardee and Chamroon Kerndum, representing a group of Phuket environmental groups, have made a formal complaint against Cherng Talay President Ma ‘Ann Samran. The complaint calls for investigation into the construction of an anti-erosion sea wall at Surin Beach, unfinished wastewater treatment plants and alleged tampering of evidence.
A report by IsraNews.org says they’ve filed a complaint with Department of Special Investigation and National Anti-Corruption Commission officials in Surat Thani.
One of the complaints alleges possible corruption in the 350 million baht wastewater treatment construction project that serves Surin and Bang Tao beaches on Phuket’s west coast. The plant, discussed and planned over many years, came into action three months ago but has not appeared effective at preventing wastewater flowing into the beaches.
The high profile tambon President has made excuses for a decade about the untreated blackwater flowing, very publicly, into the two beaches and recently even conceded that the new plants would be unable to treat all the wastewater generated in the area.
Recent Thaiger report HERE.
The complaint also alleged negligence that could be responsible for damage to Phuket’s environment.
Meanwhile the unfinished anti-erosion sea wall at Surin Beach, with a published budget of 12 million baht, remains unfinished after 18 months of stalled works.
Read more about that story HERE.
It’s not the first time the long-serving Cherng Talay President has come under fire. Four years ago a Phuket judge dismissed a 10 million baht “dereliction of duty” lawsuit.
The Public Prosecutor Jessada Banditmongkolkul said at the time, “The case was dismissed due to lack of evidence. Additionally, Mr Ma ‘Ann had followed all legal procedures during the eviction and demolition process.”
The owners of two establishments, Beach Bar and Paul Restaurant, located on Laypang Beach, claimed that Mr Ma ‘Ann had ruined their businesses by forcing them to close.
The President also came under fire from the Phuket Governor at the time for inaction over the eviction of illegal Layan Beach coastal businesses following a Supreme Court eviction order.
Read more about that story HERE.
