ID :
144308
Thu, 09/30/2010 - 13:48
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/144308
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Map Ta Phut activists begin rally protesting government's list of harmful activities
RAYONG, Sept 30 - Amid tight security, environmental activists of Map Ta Phut, Thailand's largest industrial estate, a sprawling complex in Rayong, on Thursday began a protest urging the government to review its list of 11 types harmful industrial categories.
Eastern People’s Network coordinator Suthi Atchasai led some 200 members from many provinces to gather at the Rayong government office centre Thursday morning, even as more activists were on their way to join the protest in this province southeast of Bangkok.
Security has been tightened around the protest area as residents living near Map Ta Phut plan a counter-protest against Mr Suthi's group, saying most Eastern People’s Network members live elsewhere. Local residents said the outsiders should seek the opinions of the people who live and work at or nearby the industrial estate first if they want to demonstrate.
The overall situation in the morning remained orderly with a number of police officers deployed to maintain order of the situation.
The activists's demonstration came following after the four-party panel headed by ex-prime minister Anand Panyarachun earlier proposed 18 categories of harmful industries to the government through the National Environment Board (NEB).
The National Environment Board on Aug 23 listed only 11 types of industrial projects it regards as harmful and which will require undergoing environmental and health impact assessments.
The environmental agency's narrowed down list was approved by the Cabinet. Such projects include expansions of the petrochemical industry, airport runways, and all kinds of mining, dams and power plants.
The Central Administrative Court on Sept 29 last year ordered 76 industrial projects at Map Ta Phut industrial estate, 180km southeast of Bangkok, to temporarily halt operations for failing to pass the environmental and health impact assessments required by Article 67 of Thailand's Constitution.
Early this month, the court allowed 74 of the 76 suspended projects to resume operations. Two projects accused of activities harmful to the environment remain suspended -- an ethylene plant operated by TOC Glycol Co, a unit of PTT Chemical Plc, and a vinyl chloride monomer project owned by Thai Plastic & Chemical Plc. (MCOT online news)
Eastern People’s Network coordinator Suthi Atchasai led some 200 members from many provinces to gather at the Rayong government office centre Thursday morning, even as more activists were on their way to join the protest in this province southeast of Bangkok.
Security has been tightened around the protest area as residents living near Map Ta Phut plan a counter-protest against Mr Suthi's group, saying most Eastern People’s Network members live elsewhere. Local residents said the outsiders should seek the opinions of the people who live and work at or nearby the industrial estate first if they want to demonstrate.
The overall situation in the morning remained orderly with a number of police officers deployed to maintain order of the situation.
The activists's demonstration came following after the four-party panel headed by ex-prime minister Anand Panyarachun earlier proposed 18 categories of harmful industries to the government through the National Environment Board (NEB).
The National Environment Board on Aug 23 listed only 11 types of industrial projects it regards as harmful and which will require undergoing environmental and health impact assessments.
The environmental agency's narrowed down list was approved by the Cabinet. Such projects include expansions of the petrochemical industry, airport runways, and all kinds of mining, dams and power plants.
The Central Administrative Court on Sept 29 last year ordered 76 industrial projects at Map Ta Phut industrial estate, 180km southeast of Bangkok, to temporarily halt operations for failing to pass the environmental and health impact assessments required by Article 67 of Thailand's Constitution.
Early this month, the court allowed 74 of the 76 suspended projects to resume operations. Two projects accused of activities harmful to the environment remain suspended -- an ethylene plant operated by TOC Glycol Co, a unit of PTT Chemical Plc, and a vinyl chloride monomer project owned by Thai Plastic & Chemical Plc. (MCOT online news)
