Protesters seek power for the people

PHUKET TOWN: More than 200 villagers protested today at Phuket Provincial Hall about the lack of adequate electric power for their homes in a small community off Chao Fa East Rd in Chalong. About 1,000 people live in 570 dwellings at Kok Tanode, also known as Chalermprakiat, without permanent electricity, Governor CEO Pongpayome Vasaputi was told when he met a small delegation. Sornchai Upparamai, Manager of the Phuket Provincial Electricity Authority (PPEA), told the Gazette there was no permanent power supply because the villagers either lived on reserved forest land, on land owned by others or on mining concessions. As a result, the permission of third parties had to be obtained before permanent electricity could be provided. “When they get permission from the related organizations and the land owners, we will provide a budget to put in electricity immediately,” K. Sornchai said. “This has been a chronic problem for more than 10 years.” He said that two years ago, the PPEA installed a temporary source but it had failed. Officers will go to the area to look at the possibility of alternative temporary supplies. Kok Tanode Community Headman Kokchai Sae-ung said, “Today, after we sent letters to the OrBorJor Phuket and the Phuket Governor CEO, we have come to listen to how the officers will help us. Now we don’t even have enough electricity to cook rice”. Officers told the protesters that they will ask the Phuket Provincial Land Office to check ownership of the land then seek permission from the owners to install a permanent power supply.