Shouting and holding placards, the residents called for Maitri Duangchan to be removed from his position as village chief of Moo 1, Rassada.
They accused him of corruption and using his position of authority for his own benefit.
Villager Suthon Pontha explained, “We have had no support and we have no other way to fix this. We are here because we cannot bear him anymore.
“We are here to present our complaints because the village chief used his authority to benefit himself and his friends. He has ignored the development of the village. He never holds meetings and public hearings to explain to the village what will be done after he receives the budget.
“For 10 years as the village head, he has never held any public hearings about anything that affects us,” he said.
Mr Suhtorn said that Mr Maitri has asked villagers to pay B6,000 in order to have their homes officially registered so they can be designated an official address.
“This should be free of charge,” he said.
“Villagers cannot ask for electricity and water supply if they do not have a registered house number,” he explained.
“When he [Mr Maitri] gets any budget, he never informs his villagers. He ignores our requests for help,” Mr Suthorn said.
“This headman never informed villagers about a construction project at Koh Siray that affected the lives of local residents. He also has asked for bribes from fishing pier owners and taxi drivers at the queues at a hotel on Koh Siray,” he alleged.
“He invaded a mangrove forest for his own business. He also created a dirt race track without permission. The race track creates a lot of dust and the area is prone to landslides when it rains,” Mr Suthorn continued.
“He built a building on land that the owner donated so it could be made into a playground, but instead he used this land for his own benefit. Plus he has done nothing to support us during this COVID-19 situation.
“We are really suffering and getting in trouble,” he said.
District Chief Anupan Rodkwan Yodrabam met the villagers and formally received their long list of complaints.
Chief Anupan explained that a task force will be set up to investigate the villagers’ complaints.
“The investigative committee will have 15 days to present its findings,” he said.
“I will invite this village headman for questioning. All villagers, please present your evidence and cooperate with me. Then we will see how this goes,” he said.
Additional reporting by Eakkapop Thongtub