Regime opens energy forums in South
Krabi mayor urges urgent action on plant
The military regime yesterday organised forums in three southern provinces to listen to local views on energy issues in the region.
The forums were held separately in Krabi, Songkhla and Surat Thani, with participants from 14 provinces in the South taking part in each forum.
The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) yesterday kick-started a plan to improve the public’s understanding about new environmental and health impact assessments needed for the Krabi coal-fired power plant project, saying they have to be completed in a month from now.
Fourth Army chief Lt Gen Piyawat Nakwanich yesterday presided over the opening of a forum in Krabi’s Muang district, attended by residents in Krabi, as well as from Phuket, Phangnga and Trang. Also present was Twarath Sutabutr, directorgeneral of the Energy Policy and Planning Office and spokesman for the Energy Ministry, who gave a lecture on the energy situation in the South.
Lt Gen Piyawat told the gathering the forums were aimed at promoting a better understanding of the energy situation in the South among residents in the 14 southern provinces.
The forums were also intended to give residents a general overview of potential power plant options in each province, Lt Gen Piyawat said, adding that officials would ensure that any power plant would have a minimum impact on the public.
He added the forums were based on the late King Rama IX’s advice on the importance of unity and willingness to make sacrifices for the greater good of the country.
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon yesterday criticised activists from non-governmental organisations who refused to take part in the forums.
The government gave all stakeholders a chance to speak their minds and the NGO activists were also welcome to join. But when they do not take part, they should not criticise, Gen Prawit said.
Residents living near the site of a proposed coal-fired power plant project in Krabi told the forum they wanted to have their say on the project.
Kitcha Thongthip, a village head of Moo 3 in Ban Nong Pak Chee, who represents locals living near the plant site, said the project has divided communities as outside organisations have attempted to interfere in the locals’ decision-making process.
He stressed local communities need a power plant that is fuelled by clean energy to help strengthen the country’s power security.
Krabi mayor Keeratisak Phukaoluan said the government should take urgent action to build the plant in Krabi, and any delay could set back the industrial sector and tourism that need to strive for balance between the environment and sustainable power development.
“If you can guarantee us there will be an effective way to control pollution, we will support it. Please don’t waste time. We can’t live without power security,” the Krabi mayor told the seminar.
Somnuek Krutsua, speaking for the project’s opponents, said his family was affected by a lignite power plant constructed by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand 50 years ago, before it was decommissioned later.
He said the same mistake could be repeated if the new coal-fired power plant is constructed.
Mr Somnuek said state agencies should not tell the public there was not enough power in the country, as it wasn’t true. Blackouts are not caused by less power generation, but involve power transmission systems, he said.