Thailand: Govt will carry on with Krabi project

Thailand: Govt will carry on with Krabi project

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said the government did not back down
from the planned construction of a coal-fired power plant in Krabi but only
"slowed down" its implementation.

Project opponents, meanwhile, demanded a pro-power plant billboard near
Krabi airport be removed immediately.

"We're slowing it down in order to proceed," Gen Prawit said as he chaired
an opening ceremony of a leadership development course at the National
Defence Studies Institute on Monday.

"If we don't build the coal-fired power plant, the South will experience
power outages because the power supply is not adequate.

"There's no need to build it in the South but whether it will use other
fuels such as palm oil to replace coal is another topic. In any case, we
must build it."

He claimed today's modern coal-fired power plant technology ensured
efficient and complete combustion while the use of high-grade coal would
minimise pollution.

"The government has not backed down and everything has been carried out
according to procedural and legal steps," the deputy premier said.

The government decided on Friday to proceed with a planned 800-megawatt
coal-fired power plant in Nua Khlong district of Krabi, saying the facility
would help secure power supply for the southern region which consumes more
power but has fewer plants than other regions.

About 200 opponents protested against the plan outside Government House
during the weekend. The protesters dispersed on Sunday after the government
agreed to re-do the environmental and health impact assessments (EHIA) of
the project. It was expected to announce the revocation of the existing EHIA
report on the contentious project on Tuesday following the cabinet meeting.

Meanwhile, the Krabi plant opponents took to social media and local online
forums to express their resentment towards Krabi governor Pinit Boonlert
over a billboard on a T-intersection in front of Krabi International Airport
in Na Khlong district. They demanded it be removed quickly.

The board has a message, dated on Feb 17, that reads: "Krabi residents thank
His Excellency Prime Minster Prayut Chan-o-cha and the Energy Policy and
Planning Committee for passing a resolution to build a coal-fired power
plant in Krabi".

Many were angered by the use of the generic phrase "Krabi residents" despite
ongoing protests by many locals and various groups. They believed some
provincial authorities were behind the installation of the sign on Friday --
the same day a group of people showed up at the provincial hall to thank the
prime minister for approving the energy scheme.

Kittichai Engchuan, who is on a tripartite committee vetting the
construction of the Krabi plant, said the billboard was extremely
inappropriate and should be taken down given the split opinions of the
people.

He said if the governor kept the sign there, he could be viewed as being
partial and urged him to be more neutral.

"A father must be impartial, not taking sides with any of his children;
otherwise there won't be happiness in the house like now," Mr Kittichai
said.

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

Link to Original Article:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1201804/prawit-govt-will-carry-on-wi
th-krabi-project

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

John Diecker
APT Consulting Group Co., Ltd.

www.aptthailand.com