The investigation comes after the resort’s general manager, Tony Pedroni, filed a complaint letter with the Governor’s office on January 12.
The letter was the third he had sent to various authorities drawing attention to a small grass-roofed hut under trees in front of the Marriott.
The hut, he said, probably encroached on the National Park. In addition, he was worried that it was in poor condition and someone might be injured if it collapsed.
Mr Pedroni explained today to officials headed by Vice-Governor Somkiet Sangkhaosuttirak, “The JW Marriott has a good relationship with local people and we do not mind to helping them. In this case, we are not trying to [make difficulties for] them.
“But the hut may break and fall down … because no one is taking care of it. They don’t know who the owner is.”
The government officials – including Sarawut Sisakhukram, Head of Mai Khao Tambon Administration Organisation (OrBorTor); Wichart Pankong, an expert from the forestry office of the Sirinat Park; and representatives of Tha Chat Chai police station, the Damrongtham Centre and others – inspected the area.
They also inspected the empty hut, which has a banner advertising “Tour Information”, but found that no one seemed to know who it belonged to.
Mr Wichart explained, “Between the marker posts for the park and the beginning of the Marriott’s land is a public area. No one may make a living in that area [where the hut is]. If someone encroaches on that area, the authorities will stop them by legal means.”
Now the exact boundaries of the national park, the public land and the JW Marriott land will be researched to pin down where one ends and the next begins – and just who is building in the wrong places.
V/Gov Somkiet said, “Since the JW Marriott sent this letter, I have to consider the matter in a way that is fair to all sides, the local people and the hotel. But first I will allow Mr Sarawut [of the OrBorTor] to measure the area and check the title deeds.”