Phuket probes construction site over erosion concerns
Phuket officials have launched a major investigation into a hillside construction project in Karon after public concerns over potential illegal development and environmental damage.
The inspection, conducted yesterday, April 21, was led by Surasak Anusorn, Director of the Phuket Natural Resources and Environment Office, and accompanied by officers from the Phuket Provincial Public Works and Town & Country Planning Office. Also present were Somkid Chokong and Watanapong Suksai, advisors to Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat.
The inspection followed complaints from locals, who took to social media to highlight issues of soil erosion caused by the construction site.
They reported that the erosion had spilt onto nearby roads, raising concerns about future risks and environmental damage.
According to the official report, the inspection was designed to gather factual information that could support potential legal action and help forward the case to relevant authorities.
The Karon Municipality will be contacted to verify whether the construction project has the required legal permits to continue.
The site, located along Soi Patak 12, had already attracted the attention of Phuket MP Chalermpong Saengdee, who visited the area on April 18 after the vegetation had been cleared, leading to further erosion during the rainfall.
MP Chalermpong, alongside local headman Dr Winai Chitchiew, inspected the area where water had been flowing down Soi Patak 12 in Tambon Karon, carrying sediment and sand from the construction site and dirtying the road surface.
In response to the public outcry, construction was temporarily halted while measures were put in place to reduce further erosion. Sandbags and coconut fibre mats were used to stabilise the soil, while water trucks were deployed to clean the affected roads.
Although the project supervisor claimed that permission for the development had been requested, no documentation was provided to substantiate this, reported The Phuket News.
“The municipality and relevant agencies will now be asked to confirm the legality of the project, and further investigation will follow.”
The outcome of this investigation could determine the fate of the controversial development, and residents are anxiously awaiting confirmation of the project’s compliance with local regulations.
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