Group raises stink over smelly wastewater in Prachuap Khiri Khan
A police complaint was filed against Prachuap Khiri Khan governor and five senior officials on Saturday for allegedly turning a blind eye to the release of wastewater on the beach.
Representatives of the Anti-Corruption Network’s local chapter filed a complaint at the Muang Prachuap Khiri Khan Police Station in which they accused the six officials of dereliction of duty under Article 157 of the Penal Code.
Apart from the provincial governor, the others accused are Prachuap Khiri Khan mayor, chief of the Provincial Office of Natural Resources and Environment, chief of the Marine Transport Office 3, director of the Wastewater Management Authority’s local office and director of the neighbour province Phetchaburi’s Marine and Coastal Resources Administration Office 3.
Chaisit Plangsrisakul, a member of the Anti-Corruption Network’s working group, said untreated wastewater was being released onto the beach near the town hall.
He said the group had taken some senior officials to the area in June, where they learned that the wastewater was coming from a hotel nearby. However, Chaisit said, nothing has been done since.
“The continuous release of wastewater has had a severe impact on the ecosystem of the coastal area, which is an important tourist landmark. But the relevant state agencies have paid no attention,” he said.
Vendors near the beach filed similar complaints in May, saying that the smelly dark water was being released from a wastewater pipe near the breakwater. They said the bad smell was driving away tourists and affecting their business.
A recent test conducted by the Regional Environment Office 8 showed that the wastewater had not been treated and violated safety standards.
Hua Hin, a popular destination with both local and foreign travellers, is some 90 kilometres from Muang district and both face the Gulf of Thailand.
