FOR THE EXPAT IN ALL OF US! ISSUE 416 10th February 2017
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HISTORICAL
BEACH ENCROACHMENT FIGHT GOES ON AS FIRST STRUCTURE VOLUNTARILY DISMANTLED IN HISTORICAL STREET
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HUA HIN The voluntary dismantling of one of the restaurants accused of illegally encroaching on beach land at the northern end of Naresdamri Road may be taken as a sign that the resistance to this measure is weakening, but the remaining businesses have vowed to battle on, with their claims of both the historical importance and of being a tourist attraction drawing some support from tourists and locals alike. Clearly the owners of the Saeng Thai Seafood Restaurant, one of the largest in that area, felt that resistance was futile, and the restaurant has now completely gone after a couple of weeks dismantling and salvaging the materials, presumably to be used in a new location. However, while there are a number of empty smaller units on that street, there is a hard core of businesses taking their fight as far as they can. Forty buildings on that stretch have been served eviction notices, under sections 40 and 42 of the Buildings Act, and the 45 days notice which ran from December 20th has noe expired. The remaining owners and businesses have petitioned a provincial appeal committee headed by the governer, and if this fails, they have been told by Mayor Nopporn Wutthikul that their final resort is the Administrative Court. Very little has been said about the plans for the area should the evictions be upheld, and while a tasteful and well designed beach promenade would be a lovely addition to Hua Hin, the concern for many is that this will not materialise, as well as the loss of what is already part of the character of the town, that makes it unlike any other beach resort in Thailand. There are also some voices raising concern over the legality of the evictions, as claims are being made that the disputed land was gifted to ordinary people many years ago, and this may be the legal thread that their hopes are hanging by. In the meantime we would suggest that readers head down to the area and take the chance to have a meal over the sea for what could be the last time.