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Condo Residents Protest Tree Felling, Deplore Neglect

Condo Residents Protest Tree Felling, Deplore Neglect

Matichon•General•19d ago

Reader Briefing

Discontent brews among Baansan Niwet condo residents as the Housing Authority's tree felling and neglect of facilities spark protests.

  • •Residents of Baansan Niwet Condo in Bangkok are protesting the Housing Authority's decision to fell mature trees within the complex.
  • •The residents also criticize the Housing Authority for the deteriorating condition of buildings and the closure of a supermarket.
  • •The Housing Authority claims the tree felling was for safety reasons after a complaint about falling branches.

Overview

  • •Over a hundred families from Baansan Niwet 1 Condominium in Chatuchak, Bangkok, gathered to protest.
  • •The protest was triggered by the Housing Authority of Thailand (HAT) coordinating with the Chatuchak District to remove mature trees, allegedly for 'trimming' but actually felling them down to stumps.
  • •Eleven trees, including Sesbania and Golden Shower, were felled near the project entrance and along the road.
  • •Five more trees on the exit road are scheduled to be felled tomorrow.
  • •Residents expressed dismay, noting that this is the first time trees have been so mercilessly cut down in their nearly 30 years of residence, contrasting with state campaigns for tree planting.
  • •The HAT claims the action was a response to a complaint from residents of Building 2 about branches falling on cars.
  • •Residents also voiced extensive criticism regarding the HAT's ineffective management, citing broken parking card machines, declining building conditions, and exorbitant rental prices that led to the closure of Top Supermarket and the plaza.
  • •The closure of Top Supermarket and the plaza has made the area feel deserted and has negatively impacted local vendors.

Full article content is available on the original source.

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Source: Matichon (Original)

Key Quotes

Villager Representative
"We have lived here for almost 30 years, never has there been a time of such merciless felling of trees. Previously, only pruning for safety was done. While the state promotes planting trees for global warming, the Housing Authority sends people to clear-cut trees. What was discussed with BMA? Why do this?"
พวกเราอาศัยอยู่ที่นี่มาเกือบ 30 ปี ไม่เคยมียุคสมัยไหนที่มาตัดโค่นต้นไม้ทิ้งอย่างไร้ความปราณีแบบนี้ ที่ผ่านมาทำเพียงแค่ตัดแต่งกิ่งเพื่อความปลอดภัยเท่านั้น ในขณะที่หน่วยงานรัฐรณรงค์ให้ปลูกต้นไม้ลดโลกร้อน แต่การเคหะฯ กลับส่งคนมาโค่นต้นไม้จนเกลี้ยง คุยกับ กทม. ไว้ยังไง ทำไมทำแบบนี้
Resident
"The condo's value has plummeted. It was worst when deciding to buy because it had everything: a supermarket, a swimming pool. Now nothing remains. It's as if the Housing Authority intentionally manages our condo to gradually become abandoned and deteriorate, turning it into a flat or welfare housing. Excellent management. RIP Housing Authority."
มูลค่าคอนโดฯ ตกต่ำลงไปมาก แย่สุด ๆ ตอนตัดสินใจซื้อเพราะเห็นว่ามีครบทั้งซุปเปอร์มาร์เก็ต ทั้งสระว่ายน้ำ ปัจจุบันไม่เหลืออะไรเลย เหมือนการเคหะฯ ตั้งใจบริหารจัดการให้คอนโดฯ ของพวกเราค่อย ๆ ร้าง และเสื่อมโทรมลงไปเรื่อย ๆ จนกลายสภาพเป็นแฟลตหรือบ้านเอื้ออาทร ยอดเยี่ยมจริง ๆ บริหารงานแบบนี้ RIP การเคหะฯ

Key Entities

Person

Baansan Niwet Condo Residents(ชาวบ้านคอนโดฯ บ้านประชานิเวศน์)
Residents of Baansan Niwet Condo protesting against the Housing Authority.

Organization

Housing Authority of Thailand (HAT)(การเคหะฯ)
The organization responsible for managing Baansan Niwet Condo and the subject of resident protests.
Chatuchak District Office, Cleanliness and Public Park Division(สำนักงานเขตจตุจักร ฝ่ายรักษาความสะอาดและสวนสาธารณะ)
The government department that sent workers to 'trim' and fell trees at Baansan Niwet Condominium.
Top Supermarket
A supermarket that previously operated at Baansan Niwet Condominium and has since closed.

Place

Baansan Niwet 1 Condominium(คอนโดมิเนียมประชานิเวศน์ 1)
The condominium complex where residents are protesting.
Lat Yao Subdistrict(แขวงลาดยาว)
The subdistrict in Chatuchak, Bangkok, where Baansan Niwet 1 Condominium is located.
Chatuchak District(เขตจตุจักร)ℹ️
The district in Bangkok responsible for providing workers for tree maintenance at Baansan Niwet Condominium.
Sesbania(ต้นกระถินณรงค์)ℹ️
A type of tree that was felled at Baansan Niwet Condominium.
Golden Shower Tree (Ratchaphruek)(ต้นคูน (ราชพฤกษ์))ℹ️
A type of tree that was felled at Baansan Niwet Condominium.