NARATHIWAT: Residents of seaside fishing villages in Muang district are pleading with officials to repair and raise the height of a concrete breakwater to protect their homes and livelihoods.
Residents of Baan Bakae in tambon Khok Kien are living in fear that ocean waves may destroy their houses and sand will ruin their precious budu sauce, a southern-style fermented fish sauce that they store in clay jars.
Mae Dolor, 55, and her family process their daily catch into salted fish and budu sauce for local fresh markets. She said the province built a one-metre-high concrete breakwater in the area four years ago but strong winds and waves over time have gradually eroded it away.
The waves that rush through the gap carry large amounts of sand that has covered the local road and cut off access to garages. Villagers also have to shovel away the sand to prevent it from seeping into the budu jars and spoiling the popular product.
Ms Mae said villagers have to fill sandbags during the rainy season to create a barrier, particularly during high tide at night. Some residents have moved to stay in the city after persistent floods.
However, many residents want to stay as they say they can dry their fish and prepare the budu sauce without worrying that the strong smell will disturb their neighbours as everyone is involved in the same activity.
"We want the province to lay some large rocks on the shore to strengthen the barrier and also increase the height of the barrier to 2-4 metres as the old one-metre barrier could barely prevent the high waves and storms," Ms Mae said.