Residents of Ban Bang Maruan and Ban Bang Pring in Takupa district told reporters they need a road so that electricity can be supplied, their children can get to school more easily and their agricultural produce can get to markets more conveniently.
Reporters were shown the route that had linked the villages to the main road 50 years ago, when tin was being mined in the area.
When mining operations ended, the villagers said, “wealthy” people took possession of the road allowance and planted rubber trees along it, leaving the residents with only a footpath.
The villagers said they have repeatedly asked for a new road to be built but were ignored, leaving them without electricity and proper access to the outside world.