Doi Suthep lobby steps up the heat

A group protesting against the controversial housing project at the foot of Doi Suthep mountain in Chiang Mai has stepped up its pressure on the government. The group has threatened to take “decisive action” against the occupation of the homes or it will converge for a major rally.

Teerasak Rupsuwan, a coordinator of the activist network asking for the reclamation of the Doi Suthep forest land, said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was being urged to fulfil his promise that no one would stay in the housing project, which allegedly encroaches on forest land.

The group renewed its demand after aerial pictures of 45 homes on Tuesday showed grass being trimmed in the front yard several homes, proof of continuing construction work even after the construction contract has ended.

The network reclaiming Doi Suthep forest land on Wednesday posted on its Facebook page some pictures showing a pickup delivering grass to be grown in the front lawns of the houses.

On Monday, the network posted a picture of four cars, three of which were Mercedes-Benz, parked at an apartment building inside the project on its Facebook page.

A caption which accompanied the picture said that despite the government’s agreement with the protesters that no one would live in the 45 homes and the nine apartment buildings, about 30 families have already moved into the nine buildings.

And despite claims from the PM’s Office Minister, Suwaphan Tanyuvardhana’s, that those residing in the buildings were junior court officials, the network learned that only three rooms in the buildings were occupied by such officials.

The other rooms were being occupied by high-level officials, which explained the luxury cars in the parking area.

Originally constructed for judges and staff of the Administrative Office of Appeal Region 5 in the North, the housing project has provoked a public outcry with calls for its demolition.

Mr Teerasak said people who were occupying the nine buildings have been ordered to relocate to other buildings not slated for demolition.

If the government attempts to further delay a decision, the activist networks, as well as political groups in the North, would come out to protest, he said.

Mr Teerasak was speaking after a meeting of a sub-committee to discuss a solution over the conflict involving the controversial housing project on Wednesday.