Community leader Chuchart Chantanantarat explains: “Since we are under the governance of Kathu Municipality, we are not called a village but referred to as a community. But we are a village in every sense.”
This community, with 400 households and a total population of 1,875, has seen many developments over the years, and many projects have eventuated.
Mr Chuchart says it is imperative for a small community in a highly-competitive and built up area like Phuket to try and maintain their community values.
“So many things have changed these days. People have to get up early to go to work and come back home late at night. That leaves them no time to think of things other than how to make ends meet. But as a community, it is necessary that we create a place where members of the community feel that they are not living alone. Therefore we try to put in place many projects and development ideas and invite community members to join us.”
Baan Gett-Ho has their own Community Fund Office, thanks to money administered from the central government. This office acts like a bank that can provide community loans, to a total of B11 million, although with a higher interest rate of 3 per cent. Insurance is also available, plus funeral support for community members. The office has even won a prize from the Governor of Phuket for its management.
The Community Fund Office also serves as a learning centre where one corner of the building is set up with bookshelves and sofas for people to come in and read. The variety of books range from agriculture and general interest, to management and accounting handbooks for graduate students.
Mr Chuchart said that people in the community know if they need any kind of help, financial or otherwise, they can come to the centre. The community centre committee also decided to convert a room at Baan Gett-Ho School into a fully-functioning community fitness centre, complete with equipment like treadmills, cross-trainers, bikes and weight machines.
“It is important to be healthy. Community members and school children can use this fitness centre and pay a very small fee but we don’t ask them to pay an exact amount – they can give us any rate of fee they like,” Mr Chuchart said.
The community has big plans for the future, he says.
Included in that is the development of an area called the Old Liquor House, which used to be a liquor storage area.
“Last week we had a big cleaning day around the Old Liquor House. We plan to make this into a community recreational area. There is a lake at the back, leftover from years of mining as the area was rich in tin. We want to build running tracks around the lake, and we have plans to build a floating market and a cultural centre. Here, people can come and experience Phuket’s old style market, and sample traditional food and sweets.”
From September 9 to 11, Baan Gett-Ho and the Kathu Municipality will organise a Walking Street event for children which will include stalls and booths. A main stage will be set up for traditional shows and performances.
It is important to create a community where people can live in and feel safe in, Mr Chuchart said.
“Big city life is already difficult. People have to work harder and longer hours to make a living, so when they come back to their homes, to their community, they should be able to feel that it is their home.”
Getting there: Head west from Central Festival toward Kathu. Turn right at the first main set of lights and the village is on the left. It is next door to a kindergarten.