PHETCHABUN — An operation to demolish the first batch of 111 illegal resorts on Phu Thap Boek in Lom Kao district, one of the province’s most popular tourist attractions, has come to a halt after a protest by Hmong hilltribe people.
Phetchabun governor Bundit Theeveethivarak ordered work be halted when about 300 Hmong residents, including women and children, on Phu Thap Boek blocked an intersection at the entrance to the mountainous attraction. The residents used three pickup trucks to prevent authorities from moving in to Kana An 1, the third of 19 resorts scheduled to be demolished.
The protesters made a five-point demand but officials accepted only one of them. They dispersed after the resort demolition team agreed to suspend their work and leave Phu Thap Boek so that both sides can begin negotiations.
Mr Bundit said officials agreed to stop the work because they did not want a confrontation with the protesters.
He said the Hmong residents rallied after hearing rumours about the demolition work, including one that said he had ordered the clearing of all structures on Phu Thap Boek. The rumours were believed to have been started by the owners of the illegal resorts, he said. The governor will meet with Hmong residents at Lom Kao district office on Monday afternoon to clarify the matter.
