New Chief in Cherng Talay
Manoch Punchalad, the newly elected Chief of Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organisation (OrBorTor), responsible for the beach areas
in Cherng Talay, has outlined his policies now that he has been confirmed the official winner of the election held late last month.
However, he has remained
silent on any action to be taken against squatters still operating
businesses illegally ons state land while serving tourists.
The Phuket office of the Election Commission of Thailand
(PEC) on Dec 24 issued a notice confirming the winners
of all the OrBorTor elections held in Phuket on Nov 28, with the exception of the elec
tion results for Thepkrasattri OrBorTor.
The delay was required in order to allow for complaints to be filed about the election, and to allow the Election Commission of Thailand head
office in Bangkok to confirm the vote count.
All five “unofficial” winners announced on Nov 29 (not including Thepkrasattri @thephuketnews
OrBorTor) have been upheld, and may now take office.
An officer at the PEC confirmed to that the delay with the election
results for Thepkrasattri OrBorTor was due to a complaint
filed over the handling of the election. The election results are expected on Jan 7, the officer said.
Of note, the PEC on Dec 24
also confirmed that Siricharat Trairat, sister of the former mayor of Thepkrasattri Municipality, has been named the
official winner of the mayoral by-election held in the central Phuket enclave on Dec 4.
“I have a strong determination to develop the Cherng Talay OrBorTor to be prosperous
in all aspects. I will focus on development in various areas along with solving urgent
problems for sustainable local
development in accordance with the policies of the government and the Ministry of Interior under the framework of the subdistrict administrative organisation,” Mr Manoch
said following his installment on Dec 28.
“I will implement the policy
under the principles of good governance, and transparency which can be examined. I will
work effectively to produce worthwhile results according to the intentions and needs of the people in the Cherng Talay
area,” Mr Manoch said.
Mr Manoch stated that he will work by focusing on pub
lic involvement and listening to public opinions.
He also outlined his policy
by listing six areas that are to be the focus of his administration:
1) to urgently solve prob
lems that local residents face from the COVID-19 situation,
and restore the economy; 2) to support the city’s expansion through the creation and maintenance of transportation
routes, infrastructure and water supply; 3) improving public health, disaster prevention and mitigation, and overall security; 4) to develop education, religion, art, culture
and tradition by improving educational institutions, child development centres and kindergartens in the area; 5) to improve the environment, economy and tourism by improving the waste collection in the area according to the “4Rs” [Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle] and managing wastewater treatment; 6) and to promote the use of technology
to develop e-services and transform existing procedures
to a digital system.
“All these policies will be implemented by the framework
of law and authority based on the principles of good governance. I am ready to drive the policy into practice until the goals are achieved under cooperation from all sectors, including government officials,
political parties, the public, the private sector and other organisations both inside and outside of the Cherng Talay area for the best interests of the people,” Mr Manoch said.
SILENT ON SQUATTERS
Although new to office, Mr Manoch has yet to make any mention of the issue of illegal squatters occupying state land
along the Layan beachfront who continue to operate lucrative businesses targetting foreign tourists.
The businesses remain despite efforts by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and even a Supreme Court ruling ordering the squatters to vacate the land.
At last report, previous Cherng Talay OrBorTor Chief
MaAnn Samran in late July last year gave the illegal occupiers of prime beachfront land at Layan Beach another extension to vacate the plots.
That last-minute extension
followed Mr MaAn repeatedly issuing a “last chance” for the squatters to move. Mr MaAnn served official notices
of eviction to 15 people occupying some 178 rai of land,
including the well-known Tony’s Restaurant at Layan Beach.
The land in question in total covers 178 rai along three kilometres of unspoilt beachfront, altogether estimated to be worth more than B10 billion.
Mr MaAnn made no more
efforts to remove the squatters
before the OrBorTor election was held on Nov 28.