PHUKET: Local groundwater well-drilling operators have threatened to blockade the Phuket office of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) if the office’s chief, Chaipadung Promsawadi, doesn’t start recognizing power of attorneys as an acceptable form of representation. Before approving permits for new wells to be dug, Mr Chaipadung wants to meet the owners of the companies that have applied for the wells to be dug, instead of being presented with a document saying they have empowered another person or company to do it for them. Mr Chaipadung introduced the new rule when he transferred to the Phuket NRE office as chief on October 11.
PHUKET: One of the lead organizers of the