UWC Thailand petitions against slaughterhouse
UWC THAILAND INTERNATIONAL School, located in Tambon Thepkrasattri, Thalang, in northern Phuket, has filed a formal petition against a slaughterhouse covering several rai from being built within
400 metres of the school.
Foundation Board member Sirivipa Dusiyami Berger and Head of School Lural Ramirez submitted the petition to Phuket Vice Governor Amnuay Pinsuwan at the new Phuket Provincial Hall on Mar 1.
The school administrators expressed their
concern that construction of the slaughterhouse will have long-term environmental effects on people in the area, explained a report by the Phuket office of the Public Relations Department (PR Phuket).
The slaughterhouse is planned to be built on three to four rai approximately 300-400 metres from the school.
Both the planned slaughterhouse and UWC Thailand are within close proximity to the Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Sanctuary,
the report added.
Vice Governor Amnuay formally received the written petition and said he would pass it on to the Phuket Provincial Livestock Office, which oversees the issuing of permits for slaughterhouse facilities.
“The petitioner does not have to worry because before the matter is presented to the Provincial Environment Board, the construction must pass an environmental impact report [EIA, Environment Impact
Assessment],” Vice Governor Amnuay said.
“The committee must tell the relevant stakeholders to be notified,” he added.
“The report [EIA] is to express opinions
that all parties agree to allow society to move forward in a sustainable manner,” Vice Governor Amnuay explained.
Issues regarding the construction of the slaughterhouse will be raised at a later meeting, he added.
Of note, Thailand does not have specific
zoning regulations that mandate separated areas for manufacturing and production facilities from the general community.
Instead, the regulations vary depending on the facility being built. Hence the EIA becomes crucial in determining whether or not each production facility may be built at the planned location.