No solution on Doi Suthep housing project

BANGKOK, April 30 (TNA) -- Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said that the government has not found a resolution to the controversial Appeals Court Region 5 building and court officials’ residences at the foot of Chiang Mai’s Doi Suthep, near Doi Suthep-Pui National Park. Commenting on demands made by residents of Chiang Mai to dismantle the controversial residences, Mr Wissanu stated that the government has not arrived at a viable solution to the problem. He said that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha felt that the case was a fine example of how legislation can fail to address the interests and demands of the public. As such special consideration must be made as basing conclusions on legal grounds alone has proven inadequate. The Prime Minister is asking everyone to help in finding a mutually satisfactory solution to the conundrum. Mr Wissanu was not able to answer with any degree of certainty what course the official action will take mainly due to the fact that the public's demands are based on the principles of good governance which involves legislation, transparency and most importantly public participation in the final decision making process. Because of this it is evident that the decision cannot rest with the Prime Minister alone and an official sanction by all branches of government, as well as the opinions of the public, will be needed hence the Prime Minister's countermanding the using of Article 44. Mr Wissanu did state, however, that the public must now be aware that decision on whether the residences will be dismantled or not has now become a legal matter as unsanctioned demolition of the residences falls under destruction of public property clause. (TNA)