For several years the klong has been jammed with garbage, the clean-up itself bogged down in disagreements between officials and a local resort owner.
Today (March 7), however, with a metaphorical push from Vice Governor Suthee Thongyam, backed by the Royal Thai Navy, an excavator waded into the septic stream and began to remove blockages.
The canal was blocked with garbage at two points, holding back stagnant water. The most unsightly was close to Siam Beach where trash jammed the canal and spilled onto the sand, thanks to an illegal bridge built across the stream by the resort.
In December 2012, Vice-Governor Somkiet Sangkhaosuthirak ordered relevant departments to investigate and prosecute the builders of the illegal bridge, This was not done.
The source of the garbage was impossible to verify, but it, too, is not a new problem. More than two years ago Sarit Jandee, president of the Racha Yai Conservation Club, complained about a growing informal dump on his land.
Today Mr Sarit said, “Everything has depended on business owners and officials. Before, it was hard but now officials can do [their duty]. Only one resort stood against the solution. But, it is happening now that the canal is being dug out.”
The Director of the Phuket Marine and Coastal Resources Conservation Centre (MCRCC), Thanet Mannoi, said, "I have been very worried about the waste water in the klong, which has been damaging the environment. It is high time we got this done."
Rachen Pantarakit, Assistant officer of Rawai Municipality said, “This waste water has polluted the island for more than five years. Before this resort built [the bridge], there was no problem about water in canal.
“Everything works better if people agree to help each other. In the past, it was hard because some of them would not work with us. But we talked this morning and now we can work on [the clean-up]. It will be successful, I believe.”
Capt Boworn Promkeawngam, Chief of the Security Office of the Royal Thai Navy 3rd Fleet base in Phuket, said, "I am glad that we have started to clean things up. Before, it was hard to do this because a local businessman resisted the work.
“But I came to talk with him and everything is okay now."
Natthakrit Ponlaphet, Director of Phuket Environmental Office, explained before the clean-up began that it should not take more than two weeks and would be funded by the Rawai Municipality.
The illegal bridge is scheduled to be knocked down in two weeks’ time.