New EHIA vow calms coal plant protesters
Activists protesting outside Government House against a coal-fired power plant in Krabi have dispersed after the government agreed to re-do the environmental and health impact assessments (EHIA) of the project.
Meanwhile, five protest leaders were also released yesterday after being arrested earlier. They include three key coordinators of Save the Andaman from Coal — Prasitthichai Nunual, ML Rungkhun Kitiyakara and Akkaradet Chakchinda — as well as Banjong Nasae, president of Thai Sea Watch Association, and Thatpong Kaedum, a local community rights activist.
The five were arrested outside Government House on Saturday before being sent to the 11th Military Circle in Bangkok. This came a day after the National Energy Policy Committee (NEPC), chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, gave the nod for the construction of an 800-megawatt plant to be located in Nua Khlong district.
First army commander Apirat Kongsompong, government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd and police chief Chakthip Chaijinda accompanied the five to Chamai Maruchet Bridge close to Government House, where they were subsequently discharged.
Lt Gen Apirat said the detention of the five was needed to maintain order and comply with the Public Assembly Act.
He said they were well taken care of during the detention, saying they are not outlaws and have good intentions for Krabi and the rest of the country.
The first army commander said some illintentioned people were trying to twist the group’s purpose to spark conflicts with the government. He warned that people should not to fall prey to politicians.
Lt Gen Sansern said Gen Prayut asked him to relay the message that the government understood the protesters’ love of Krabi and the country, and so does the government.
People were concerned about the government’s EHIA process, so the government has instructed the Energy Ministry to inform the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) to renew the process, he said.
“Improvements will focus on public participation,” said Lt Gen Sansern, adding he believes the outcome of the new assessment will be accepted by all sides.
Mr Prasitthichai said he was treated well during detention, adding his group discussed the concerns with the government... He believes the existing EHIA report on the project will be scrapped, which means the coal-fired plant project will go back to the start.
A public hearing on the project must be re-organised, he said. The new hearing must comply with the laws without an audience being set up, as had happened in the past.
Mr Prasitthichai also thanked the government for heeding the protesters’ concerns.
The government, he said, will make an announcement to revoke the EHIA report on Tuesday following the cabinet meeting.
National human rights commissioner Angkana Neelapaijit called on the government to allow villagers to have access to information when the new EHIA is conducted.
Gen Prayut said although the coal-fired power plant in Krabi was approved by NEPC, this does not mean construction would be kicked off right away.