Street protest against coal plants in Thai seaside province

SAMUT SAKHON, July 13 (TNA) - Opponents to coal plants in Thailand's seaside Samut Sakhon Province, some 50 kilometers from Bangkok, completely blocked Rama II Road leading to the capital on Wednesday, before opening the road to normal traffic in the early afternoon after their five-point demand was headed by the provincial governor.

The protesters, who flew flags and wore green headbands, raised their protest signs in front of the Samut Sakhon Provincial Hall, demanding Samut Sakhon Governor Julabhat Saengjan and concerned authorities ban coal handling in the Ta Chin River and its estuary, claiming that big coal vessels would affect local marine resources and there had not been a public hearing or an environmental impact assessment on the project.

They also demand the authorities stop licensing coal plants or yards in Samut Sakhon, coal plants and yards apply closed systems that meet international standards and stay away from green areas, coal transport use closed systems and comply with international standards and authorities revoke licenses of the coal operators who trouble communities, saying that the coal operators have caused troubles to local communities, farmlands and fishermen since 2006 and never solved the problems. The protesters want the operators to implement concrete solutions immediately.

The protesters agreed to end their road blockade at nearly 1pm after the provincial governor promised to meet their demands. (TNA)