James Saunders, Director of CBRE and representing the Surin Spring owners, said the klong runs through private land next to the development. Tt is too shallow and even when it is not overflowing it often smells bad, he said.
Mr Saunders said that the common drains in Surin Springs are now also clogged and backing up because of the shallowness of the klong.
After inspecting the klong and holding a meeting with Damrongtham Center Chief Prapan Kanprasang and Cherng Talay Mayor Ma-ann Samran, V/Gov Somkiet said, “I have told Mr Ma-ann to talk with the owner of the land through which the klong flows.
“We plan to dredge it to make the water flow more easily, which will solve the flooding problem and also the problem of the waste water drains from Surin Springs,” he added.
Mayor Ma-ann said, “I will ask the owner of the land to donate a part of it to Cherng Talay OrBorTor so that we can widen the klong to two or three metres. It’s not only people in Surin Springs who are suffering from the problem but also other houses around the area that use the same drain.”
But Mayor Ma-ann also asked Mr Saunders for his help in getting foreigners who own villas in Cherng Talay to pay their property taxes.
He pointed out that CBRE acts as management company for many foreign-owned properties, so it should be able to help.
“There are a lot of new luxury properties for rent or lease nowadays. Many of them earn large amounts of money from Phuket, but they neglect to pay property taxes,” the mayor said.
“I will have another meeting with CBRE to talk about identifying properties in Cherng Talay that are operated as business but do not pay taxes.
“Cherng Talay OrBorTor needs funds to improve or fix public utilities. If people, especially business owners, pay their taxes, then we can do more for the community.”