Border development zones ‘must pass EIA scrutiny’

Industrial estates to be developed in border provinces as part of the government’s proposed Special Economic Zones (SEZs) will not bypass the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process, officials say.

Some locals are concerned the government may attempt to “fast-track” development in the zones, ignoring local concerns about the effect on their livelihoods.

“We learned our lesson from the impact of the Map Ta Phut [industrial estate]. We don’t want to see that again,” said Pojanee Artarotpinyo, deputy secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Board, referring to the expansion of heavy industries in Rayong province following the development of Map Ta Phut industrial estate.

“We don’t want a trade-off between possible negative impacts and investment. We’re trying to push forward the SEZs to ensure the fewest impacts,” she said.

Speaking at a forum held by the Thai Society of Environmental Journalists yesterday, Ms Pojanee said SEZs would increase Thailand’s competitiveness and improve locals’ quality of life.

The government is pushing SEZs in 10 border provinces to boost trade and investment. Mae Sot district of Tak is the first priority.

In the first phase of the policy, SEZs will be created in Mukdahan, Sa Kaeo, Songkhla and Tak provinces this year.

In the second phase next year, Chiang Rai, Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Phanom, Narathiwat and Nong Khai provinces will be developed.

Ms Pojanee said the government would use only degraded forest areas or state land for the SEZs to avoid conflicts with local communities. She admitted that 12 of 13 investment projects designated for the SEZs, including agricultural processing, ceramics, and textiles, are exempted from EIA study.

But EIA checks are required for industrial estate development, she said.

Attapon Jirawatjanya, senior specialist of the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand, said investors would be unable to avoid EIA scrutiny.

The SEZs would accommodate only light industry, as few investors find heavy industry an attractive prospect in remote border areas, he said.