Thailand: Plans for waste power plants raise ire of locals, university

Thailand: Plans for waste power plants raise ire of locals, university

A local group protesting against a waste power plant project in Pathum Thani
has vowed to apply more pressure after the Energy Regulatory Commission of
Thailand shrugged off their demands to scrap the project.

Residents of Chiang Rak Yai community in Pathum Thani's Sam Khok district,
gathered at the Energy Regulatory Commission of Thailand's head office on
Wednesday to express their displeasure.

"It is clear the authority will move the project forward without listening
to us. We will not stop our protests and will work with our allies,
including Thammasat University, to stop it," Thaweesak In-Kwang, a leader of
the group, said.

The government has promoted the power plant, saying it hopes unwanted waste
in the area can be turned into energy.

Residents oppose the project, however, as they are worried a large volume of
garbage will be dumped nearby their houses.

Chiang Rak Yai community is one of them. They protested against three
proposed power plants with a capacity of 25 megawatts covering an area of
140 rai, which will collect all garbage from the province to turn into
energy.

The locals in this province adjacent to Bangkok fear their farming areas
will be affected as a result of polluted underground water from the waste.
They are also worried raw water sources for tap water production might be
affected.

Thammasat University, which has its Rangsit campus less than two kilometres
away from the site, also expressed its concern.

Mr Thaweesak said he was disappointed with the commission's response.

It said the project has been approved by the local administrative
organisation and the provincial authorities so it can go ahead.

He also quoted the authority as saying the company which will run the
project would have the direct responsibility of dealing with the local
concerns about the environment and health impacts.

The locals said more than 20,000 people living in six tambon near the plant
will be affected by the project. Meanwhile, the Energy Regulatory Commission
is in the process of approving the waste power plant's licence.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

Link to Original Article:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1187717/plans-for-waste-power-plants
-raise-ire-of-locals-university

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

John Diecker
APT Consulting Group Co., Ltd.

www.aptthailand.com