Struggle to Save Naklua’s Last Remaining Mangrove Area

Pattaya Council Area One has submitted a possible solution to the problem by suggesting that the Pattaya City Administration organizes a public hearing for Pattaya residents, especially those from Naklua. The purpose of the hearing would be to manage and develop the area according to public laws, including developing it in a sustainable way and to avoid conflict upon completion of the project.

The Pattaya Council Conventional Meeting for September was chaired by Mr. Urit Nantasurasak, Council vice Chairman, and was attended by Pattaya City Council members, government officials and the Pattaya administration. The highlight of the meeting was a discussion of Naklua is remaining mangrove area, which could be destroyed by another scenery development project. Mr. Issarin Boriboonakhom, Pattaya Council Area 2 member, said that the scenery development project and its effect on Naklua’s mangrove area has been a source of conflict for some time. Emotions have run high on both sides of the conflict: the scenery development project’s management and the Naklua Preservation Group. He proposed organizing a public hearing to help reduce conflicts and come up with a solution.

It has been reported that most of the activists are outsiders. A public hearing, at which local resident decide whether they want to preserve this mangrove area or allow it to make way for the scenery development project, would be the best course of action.

Meanwhile, Pattaya Deputy Mayor Wuttisak Rermkijjakarn explained that this matter was previously submitted to the Pattaya Mayor’s office and resulted in the suspension of the construction process along the disputed area. In addition, the matter has also been submitted to the Pattaya Public Works Department to come up with proper constructional solutions to satisfy both sides. Possible solutions are currently under consideration.