What is the basis behind all of it as well? Does it go back to ancient times out of fear someone will hold the high ground and lob projectiles down on those in power? Pete
Mountain Land
Mountain Land
Does anyone have the regulations concerning private ownership of the above? I know there is a "degree of slope" law over which cannot be owned privately.
What is the basis behind all of it as well? Does it go back to ancient times out of fear someone will hold the high ground and lob projectiles down on those in power? Pete
What is the basis behind all of it as well? Does it go back to ancient times out of fear someone will hold the high ground and lob projectiles down on those in power? Pete
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Re: Mountain Land
Not sure what the actual law is Pete, but there's a similar type of law in South Africa, and I know that over there the law is in place purely for environmental reasons, and because mountains look better when left uninhabited.
In Thailand I'm no sure because temples can be built on mountains, and while I don't mean to be disrespectful, some look appalling. Not the temples themselves, but all the litter that ends up all over the place. Money Mountain is a prime example. Erect a temple on a mountain, and the food vendors move in, and once that happens, it's game over as far as litter is concerned - a real shame.
BTW........I see I'm not the only one who is awake before the birds......lol.
In Thailand I'm no sure because temples can be built on mountains, and while I don't mean to be disrespectful, some look appalling. Not the temples themselves, but all the litter that ends up all over the place. Money Mountain is a prime example. Erect a temple on a mountain, and the food vendors move in, and once that happens, it's game over as far as litter is concerned - a real shame.
BTW........I see I'm not the only one who is awake before the birds......lol.
Don't try to impress me with your manner of dress cos a monkey himself is a monkey no less - cold fact
Re: Mountain Land
It would really surprise me if an environmental law is the true basis for anything here. I remember way back in my military days here that the law was in effect, but then the explanation was indeed military and the communist threat. Pete
PS: I wake up the birds!
...talking of which read the third one down at this link and start a new thread given your dealings with the subject. http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opin ... try-choice (new thread though please, not here)
PS: I wake up the birds!
...talking of which read the third one down at this link and start a new thread given your dealings with the subject. http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opin ... try-choice (new thread though please, not here)Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Re: Mountain Land
The object of the law against building on steep slopes is to protect against landslides, which not only causes danger and property damage for those living below, but wrecks the environment.
Re: Mountain Land
Building on slopes is a very hot issue now due to the landslides and forest encroachment it has caused.
I seem to recall the maximum buildable slope is 30 degrees and that there is a maximum height above sea level in certain areas. The land office and the Tessaban can give you the only certain answers as to what is permitted on a particular plot.
I almost bought land with a clear Chanote once. As a last precaution I checked with the Tessaban and was told there was some sort of govt right of way through the middle of the land where planners had decided a future road would be built.
I seem to recall the maximum buildable slope is 30 degrees and that there is a maximum height above sea level in certain areas. The land office and the Tessaban can give you the only certain answers as to what is permitted on a particular plot.
I almost bought land with a clear Chanote once. As a last precaution I checked with the Tessaban and was told there was some sort of govt right of way through the middle of the land where planners had decided a future road would be built.
Re: Mountain Land
Here you go. Looks like environmental reasons:
"Govt called for moving 2m pp from mountain zones
PONGPHON SARNSAMAK
THE NATION - March 30, 2012
BANGKOK: -- Forestry experts and environmental activists yesterday called on the government to move more than 2 million people out of mountainous areas, especially those in headwater forests, to protect forests from encroachment and prevent floods.
Environmental groups also asked the government to set up a preservation fund to rehabilitate and restore degraded forest areas. The proposed fund would collect money from water-bill payments.
The calls were made at a seminar titled "Headwater Forest Strategy and the Way to Prevent Flood and Drought" organised by the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department. About 350 people took part, including forestry officials, forestry experts, environmental activists and members of civic groups.
The department, along with the National Parks Association, Forestry Alumni Society and Forest and Water Crisis Management Network, has produced a draft national strategy on headwater catchment as a key blueprint to restore forests and prevent deforestation over the next 20 years.
The plan comprises six strategies: conserving 75 million rai (120,000 square kilometres) of headwater areas nationwide; rehabilitating and restoring 10 million rai of degraded headwater forests; building public awareness of the need for headwater-forest conservation; encouraging public participation in headwater-forest management; developing legal measures to protect headwater forests; and setting up an information centre.
The plan to relocate about 2 million people out of mountainous areas was one of the strongest measures proposed to protect headwater forests.
A study conducted by the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry found that massive deforestation caused by commercial farming in mountainous areas (Class 1 and 2 watershed areas at 500-1,500 metres above sea level) was one of the major causes of last year's severe flooding.
More than 3.7 million rai of headwater forest in six river basins including the Ping, Wang, Yom and Nan were severely damaged by commercial farming of such crops as maize and rice.
"We need to reduce the population in the mountainous areas and control land use. Moving people from mountainous areas to lower-lying areas would be a good way to protect headwater forests," said Wattana Wachirodom, an official from the Forest and Water Crisis Management Network.
Natural Resources and Environment Ministry permanent secretary Chote Trachoo said he personally disagreed with the idea.
"Relocating millions of people out of mountainous areas would be a very, very big issue," he said.
Instead of removing people from forest areas, Chote said, the government will pay people living in mountainous areas to plant trees and protect forests.
"We have to change the way they live. Planting trees and protecting forests would help them earn a living," he said.
To date, the government has allocated Bt10 billion to headwater-forest rehabilitation projects, but Chote did not reveal how much of this would be spent on paying people to plant trees and protect forests.
National Parks Association president Surachet Chettamas said the government should set up a special fund to support communities and non-governmental organisations' efforts to protect headwater forests. The government should allocate Bt1 billion as seed money to establish the fund, then collect money from taxpayers via their water bills, Surachet said."
"Govt called for moving 2m pp from mountain zones
PONGPHON SARNSAMAK
THE NATION - March 30, 2012
BANGKOK: -- Forestry experts and environmental activists yesterday called on the government to move more than 2 million people out of mountainous areas, especially those in headwater forests, to protect forests from encroachment and prevent floods.
Environmental groups also asked the government to set up a preservation fund to rehabilitate and restore degraded forest areas. The proposed fund would collect money from water-bill payments.
The calls were made at a seminar titled "Headwater Forest Strategy and the Way to Prevent Flood and Drought" organised by the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department. About 350 people took part, including forestry officials, forestry experts, environmental activists and members of civic groups.
The department, along with the National Parks Association, Forestry Alumni Society and Forest and Water Crisis Management Network, has produced a draft national strategy on headwater catchment as a key blueprint to restore forests and prevent deforestation over the next 20 years.
The plan comprises six strategies: conserving 75 million rai (120,000 square kilometres) of headwater areas nationwide; rehabilitating and restoring 10 million rai of degraded headwater forests; building public awareness of the need for headwater-forest conservation; encouraging public participation in headwater-forest management; developing legal measures to protect headwater forests; and setting up an information centre.
The plan to relocate about 2 million people out of mountainous areas was one of the strongest measures proposed to protect headwater forests.
A study conducted by the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry found that massive deforestation caused by commercial farming in mountainous areas (Class 1 and 2 watershed areas at 500-1,500 metres above sea level) was one of the major causes of last year's severe flooding.
More than 3.7 million rai of headwater forest in six river basins including the Ping, Wang, Yom and Nan were severely damaged by commercial farming of such crops as maize and rice.
"We need to reduce the population in the mountainous areas and control land use. Moving people from mountainous areas to lower-lying areas would be a good way to protect headwater forests," said Wattana Wachirodom, an official from the Forest and Water Crisis Management Network.
Natural Resources and Environment Ministry permanent secretary Chote Trachoo said he personally disagreed with the idea.
"Relocating millions of people out of mountainous areas would be a very, very big issue," he said.
Instead of removing people from forest areas, Chote said, the government will pay people living in mountainous areas to plant trees and protect forests.
"We have to change the way they live. Planting trees and protecting forests would help them earn a living," he said.
To date, the government has allocated Bt10 billion to headwater-forest rehabilitation projects, but Chote did not reveal how much of this would be spent on paying people to plant trees and protect forests.
National Parks Association president Surachet Chettamas said the government should set up a special fund to support communities and non-governmental organisations' efforts to protect headwater forests. The government should allocate Bt1 billion as seed money to establish the fund, then collect money from taxpayers via their water bills, Surachet said."
My brain is like an Internet browser; 12 tabs are open and 5 of them are not responding, there's a GIF playing in an endless loop,... and where is that annoying music coming from?
Re: Mountain Land
As with so many issues here, we will just have to wait and see, and of course, hope for the best. I might be wrong, but I think hillside farming was actively encouraged here in the past.
Collecting money for the fund from people's water bills? I can't see them getting much money from many Hua-Hin residents.
Such a plan would only work if people were in fact getting water in the first place, and this seems to be happening less and less around here. 
We just went for about 4 four weeks without water, then it came on for two or three days, but no water since. What baffles me is that we still received a water bill, and it was no less than it is when we do get water.
Only 150 baht or so, so hardly worth complaining about, but just makes me wonder.
Collecting money for the fund from people's water bills? I can't see them getting much money from many Hua-Hin residents.
Such a plan would only work if people were in fact getting water in the first place, and this seems to be happening less and less around here. We just went for about 4 four weeks without water, then it came on for two or three days, but no water since. What baffles me is that we still received a water bill, and it was no less than it is when we do get water.
Only 150 baht or so, so hardly worth complaining about, but just makes me wonder.Don't try to impress me with your manner of dress cos a monkey himself is a monkey no less - cold fact
Re: Mountain Land
I wonder if water, or lack thereof, is associated with how close you live to the reservoir under the flyover. We live south of the flyover and have had no water shortages at all. In fact since it's been so dry lately our bill (directly from the city) is averaging nearly 1000 baht per month to keep our "park" watered and green.
My brain is like an Internet browser; 12 tabs are open and 5 of them are not responding, there's a GIF playing in an endless loop,... and where is that annoying music coming from?
Re: Mountain Land
The further you are from the reservoir the more users b/w you and the water source and the lower the water pressure. Those near the end of the line may not get any.
Best to have a huge water tank so that when you do have pressure you can store as much as possible. Even better to have your own well.
Best to have a huge water tank so that when you do have pressure you can store as much as possible. Even better to have your own well.