Seventeen people were injured yesterday as thousands of protesters from the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) clashed with local residents who live near Preah Vihear temple.
A protester from Chachoengsao, Phongsak Ritthichaikul, was hit in the right eye by a stone, while villager Prasert Piewkhao suffered facial injuries after being beaten up.
Teenagers armed with sticks and slingshots attacked the yellow shirts as they marched through their village to Preah Vihear.
Local villagers opposed the PAD protest, as they feared it could spark a war with Cambodia. The villagers have already suffered from the temple being closed, which has cost them income from the lack of tourists. Access to their farms has also been blocked by the military since last year.
The villagers were a similar mob to one that clashed with the PAD in July last year when yellow shirts rallied at the site to oppose the site being nominated for World Heritage listing.
However, thousands of PAD protesters led by Veera Somkwamkid managed to break the police and villagers' barricades in Si Sa Ket's Ban Phumsarol to reach the gate of Pha Mor Ee Daeng, next to Preah Vihear temple.
Veera said the villagers were misinformed about the PAD mission.
"We have come here to demand the removal of Cambodians from the disputed 4.6-square-kilometre area," he told reporters after the clash.
The PAD just wanted to enter Pha Mor Ee Daeng to read out their statement. However, they would stay put if the Abhisit government made no clear proposals to evict the Cambodians, he warned.
Si Sa Ket provincial governor Rapee Phongpuphakit had lengthy negotiations with Veera but failed to get the protesters to leave the site.
PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila yesterday called on the government to ensure safety of the protesters and prevent future clashes with local residents.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, in Bangkok, said he did not understand the PAD's intent. "I don't understand what is the purpose behind their protest," he told reporters.
The government had tried to brief the Cambodian government about the PAD protest and begged Phnom Penh to understand the situation to prevent a military clash, he said.
Second Army Region Commander Wiboonsak Neeparn said the protesters would not be allowed to get into Preah Vihear and the disputed area.
The most they would be allowed to do was for some representatives to read a statement at Pha Mor Ee Daeng.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
BEADS OF LASTING HERITAGE AND PRIDE
The sky was still dark when Captain Boonyarit Chaisuwan, an archaeologist of the Phuketbased 15th Fine Arts Office, readied himself for another mission. His destination: Ban Dan School, in Kapoe district, Ranong province.The archaeologist was to meet with a group of 40 students and teachers from the school who took part in a heritage conservation project in which participants attended archaeological workshops, as well as an excavation process.
The project is the brainchild of Capt Boonyarit in a bid to promote conservation awareness in communities close to key archeological sites on the Andaman coast of southern Thailand. Ban Dan School and Wat Pathum Tararam were chosen because of their rice heritage, he said.
The archaeologist said the project, which ended earlier this month, was to serve as a model for conservation awareness campaigns.
"Bead hunting has become rampant in the area and we need to do something about it," he said, adding that his project was only an initial, but crucial, step to protect the local heritage since crackdown alone was not enough.
The archaeologist noted that the bead hunters turned to Kapoe and other archeological areas, including Phu Khao Thong village in Ranong's Suk Samran district,because they had already exhausted most of the resources at Kuan Lukpad in Krabi's Khlong Thom district.
Kuan Lukpad, which literally means "Hill of Beads",was well-known for its various types of beads, in particular,the face bead or the so-called "Suriya Dev" and Roman carnelian intaglio, featuring Peseus holding the head of Medusa. The craze for beads led to widespread illegal bead hunting over the past 30 years. Since every square metre had been scoured by local villagers who made a fortune selling beads to collectors, it is believed that there were no ancient beads left in the area and the "Hill of Beads" is just one on the list.
"The Kuan Lukpad phenomenon is a precious lesson for every community with archaic artefacts," said Capt Boonyarit, stressing that he didn't want other areas to ever repeat the same mistake.
That prompted him to launch the first project at Phu Khao Thong village in 2006, which raised awareness among the local people and encouraged them to better safeguard their heritage.
In his article,Archaeology along the Andaman Coast ,which was recently presented at an international seminar on Thai-Malaysian Archaeology Joint Project, Capt Boonyarit pointed out that Phu Khao Thong is still largely unknown to scholars but is no less important to Kuan Lukpad.
Some 2,000 years ago, Kuan Lukpad and Phu Khao Thong were both once prosperous port cities and trading stations where people exchanged goods with foreigners from Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Europe along the so-called "Southern Silk Route".
More importantly, he noted that archaeological evidences, in particular, clumps of glass and stone, as well as unfinished beads that were found in drove, indicated that both cities were not just bead trading stations as previously believed by many Western scholars, but major bead-making sites of the region. Other exquisite findings at Phu Khao Thong archaeological sites included gold ornaments - also in large amounts - from the Middle East; carnelian triratana beads, a symbol of Buddhism;and some Rouletted ware, a kind of pottery with a smooth surface. It was the first time that Rouletted ware (c.2nd century BC to 1st century AD) was discovered on Thailand's Andaman coast as this type of artefact was mostly found in Arikamedu, an archaeological site in India. It was also found in Java, Vietnam and Sri Lanka.
Capt Boonyarit said he believed that Phu Khao Thong beads were much sought-after items that were sent to other parts of the Malay peninsula and Southeast Asia,and said that more research is needed for this archaeological site. Phu Khao Thong and Kuan Lukpad eventually lost their importance as seaports between the 8th and 11th centuries AD.
"Excavation work has covered about 40 percent of the Phu Khao Thong area," he said. Yet he expressed great concern over the spawning bead hunting by local villagers - an illegal activity that caused extensive damage to the archaeological sites.
Capt Boonyarit conceded that even though the law stipulates that all unearthed antique items belong to the state and those who come across such items are required to give them up to the state, there exists many loopholes that make it very difficult for law enforcement authorities to deal properly with illegal treasure hunters.
"That is partially because beads are scattered in privatelyowned lands and the police are reluctant to take action since they recognise the private land ownership. This explains why illegal bead trading still continues today and we need cooperation from every party concerned to curb the illegal hunting."
But local villagers need to realise that bead trading is not a short-lived business, he said.
"They can probably pick 20 to 30,000 baht from selling beads. However, I have told them [the locals] that once the beads are all gone, there will be nothing left in the community. On the contrary, if they manage to keep the beads and other artefacts within their community, we can then develop it into a more sustainable way," he said.
To have that happen, the local community must take pride in their heritage and have the urge to safeguard it,insisted Capt Boonyarit, who recognises the potential of young students in promoting conservation awareness in their respective communities.
The heritage conservation project began with locating archeological study sites, he said.
"Focus is on the areas with traces of ancient human settlement. In the case of Kapoe, they are scattered around the school and the temple," he said, adding that it's important the designated areas remain "clean", which means areas that have never been searched by hunters in the past.
Students not only learn about conservation and the archeologist's work process as they help him excavate the archaeological pits, they also learn to treasure and value the artefacts they unearth.
Capt Boonyarit said he encourages the students to attach importance to all types of artefacts that are found during an excavation, while most hunters only go after beads."We are different as we keep and study all the artefacts that we come across in order to learn more about ancient human settlement," he said.
And the excavation at Ban Dan produced huge finds - gold beads, remnants of tripod pottery, the first time ever that such ancient items have been found, dated about two to 3,000 years, were found in the lowland southern region.
"The pottery, normally found in caves, helps us determine the time when the ancient people settled in the area," he said.
Capt Boonyarit expressed confidence that both Phu Khao Thong and Ban Dan, with exquisite heritage, have the potential to be developed as a learning centre and a tourist attraction in the long run.
He said if the local community is ready, then it could eventually have its own folk museum to showcase its heritage with pride.
"In fact, things go well at Phu Khao Thong village as people take part in bead-making workshops and Phu Khao Thong beads have become well-known in the market since people enjoy the extra income," he said.
It is his hope that Phu Khao Thong will eventually restore traditional heating methods in bead-making, using old-style kiln, as to add uniqueness to their final products.
When asked about his next project site, Capt Boonyarit said he may probably go back to Kapoe district.
"There is a whole lot more to search in that area," he said.
The project is the brainchild of Capt Boonyarit in a bid to promote conservation awareness in communities close to key archeological sites on the Andaman coast of southern Thailand. Ban Dan School and Wat Pathum Tararam were chosen because of their rice heritage, he said.
The archaeologist said the project, which ended earlier this month, was to serve as a model for conservation awareness campaigns.
"Bead hunting has become rampant in the area and we need to do something about it," he said, adding that his project was only an initial, but crucial, step to protect the local heritage since crackdown alone was not enough.
The archaeologist noted that the bead hunters turned to Kapoe and other archeological areas, including Phu Khao Thong village in Ranong's Suk Samran district,because they had already exhausted most of the resources at Kuan Lukpad in Krabi's Khlong Thom district.
Kuan Lukpad, which literally means "Hill of Beads",was well-known for its various types of beads, in particular,the face bead or the so-called "Suriya Dev" and Roman carnelian intaglio, featuring Peseus holding the head of Medusa. The craze for beads led to widespread illegal bead hunting over the past 30 years. Since every square metre had been scoured by local villagers who made a fortune selling beads to collectors, it is believed that there were no ancient beads left in the area and the "Hill of Beads" is just one on the list.
"The Kuan Lukpad phenomenon is a precious lesson for every community with archaic artefacts," said Capt Boonyarit, stressing that he didn't want other areas to ever repeat the same mistake.
That prompted him to launch the first project at Phu Khao Thong village in 2006, which raised awareness among the local people and encouraged them to better safeguard their heritage.
In his article,Archaeology along the Andaman Coast ,which was recently presented at an international seminar on Thai-Malaysian Archaeology Joint Project, Capt Boonyarit pointed out that Phu Khao Thong is still largely unknown to scholars but is no less important to Kuan Lukpad.
Some 2,000 years ago, Kuan Lukpad and Phu Khao Thong were both once prosperous port cities and trading stations where people exchanged goods with foreigners from Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Europe along the so-called "Southern Silk Route".
More importantly, he noted that archaeological evidences, in particular, clumps of glass and stone, as well as unfinished beads that were found in drove, indicated that both cities were not just bead trading stations as previously believed by many Western scholars, but major bead-making sites of the region. Other exquisite findings at Phu Khao Thong archaeological sites included gold ornaments - also in large amounts - from the Middle East; carnelian triratana beads, a symbol of Buddhism;and some Rouletted ware, a kind of pottery with a smooth surface. It was the first time that Rouletted ware (c.2nd century BC to 1st century AD) was discovered on Thailand's Andaman coast as this type of artefact was mostly found in Arikamedu, an archaeological site in India. It was also found in Java, Vietnam and Sri Lanka.
Capt Boonyarit said he believed that Phu Khao Thong beads were much sought-after items that were sent to other parts of the Malay peninsula and Southeast Asia,and said that more research is needed for this archaeological site. Phu Khao Thong and Kuan Lukpad eventually lost their importance as seaports between the 8th and 11th centuries AD.
"Excavation work has covered about 40 percent of the Phu Khao Thong area," he said. Yet he expressed great concern over the spawning bead hunting by local villagers - an illegal activity that caused extensive damage to the archaeological sites.
Capt Boonyarit conceded that even though the law stipulates that all unearthed antique items belong to the state and those who come across such items are required to give them up to the state, there exists many loopholes that make it very difficult for law enforcement authorities to deal properly with illegal treasure hunters.
"That is partially because beads are scattered in privatelyowned lands and the police are reluctant to take action since they recognise the private land ownership. This explains why illegal bead trading still continues today and we need cooperation from every party concerned to curb the illegal hunting."
But local villagers need to realise that bead trading is not a short-lived business, he said.
"They can probably pick 20 to 30,000 baht from selling beads. However, I have told them [the locals] that once the beads are all gone, there will be nothing left in the community. On the contrary, if they manage to keep the beads and other artefacts within their community, we can then develop it into a more sustainable way," he said.
To have that happen, the local community must take pride in their heritage and have the urge to safeguard it,insisted Capt Boonyarit, who recognises the potential of young students in promoting conservation awareness in their respective communities.
The heritage conservation project began with locating archeological study sites, he said.
"Focus is on the areas with traces of ancient human settlement. In the case of Kapoe, they are scattered around the school and the temple," he said, adding that it's important the designated areas remain "clean", which means areas that have never been searched by hunters in the past.
Students not only learn about conservation and the archeologist's work process as they help him excavate the archaeological pits, they also learn to treasure and value the artefacts they unearth.
Capt Boonyarit said he encourages the students to attach importance to all types of artefacts that are found during an excavation, while most hunters only go after beads."We are different as we keep and study all the artefacts that we come across in order to learn more about ancient human settlement," he said.
And the excavation at Ban Dan produced huge finds - gold beads, remnants of tripod pottery, the first time ever that such ancient items have been found, dated about two to 3,000 years, were found in the lowland southern region.
"The pottery, normally found in caves, helps us determine the time when the ancient people settled in the area," he said.
Capt Boonyarit expressed confidence that both Phu Khao Thong and Ban Dan, with exquisite heritage, have the potential to be developed as a learning centre and a tourist attraction in the long run.
He said if the local community is ready, then it could eventually have its own folk museum to showcase its heritage with pride.
"In fact, things go well at Phu Khao Thong village as people take part in bead-making workshops and Phu Khao Thong beads have become well-known in the market since people enjoy the extra income," he said.
It is his hope that Phu Khao Thong will eventually restore traditional heating methods in bead-making, using old-style kiln, as to add uniqueness to their final products.
When asked about his next project site, Capt Boonyarit said he may probably go back to Kapoe district.
"There is a whole lot more to search in that area," he said.
Call to probe sand transfer to Singapore
A company's request to ship sand sediment to Singapore after dredging it needs more study, a local environmental group says.
The sediment could contain a high level of silica, which is protected under the law, the coordinator of the Andaman Organisation for Participatory Restoration of Natural Resources, Thanu Nabneon, said yesterday.
Singapore-based K and Sand Corp has offered to help the Tambon Bang Nai Sri Administrative Office in Phangnga's Takua Pa district clear sediment blocking the mouth of the Takua Pa River.
The company offered the service at no charge on the condition it was allowed to ship the sediment to Singapore, he said.
The firm could not be reached for comment but the Department of Mineral Resources confirmed the request had been made.
The sediment would be cleared from a site measuring 30 square kilometres and up to 11 metres deep, said Preecha Laochu, director of the Department of Mineral Resources' Geo-Technical Office.
Mr Thanu said the firm had asked a handful of state agencies for permission.
"The company claims the sediment has no value for industry and would not breach export regulations," Mr Thanu said.
"But if there is no economic value,why does the company offer to dredge it for free?
"We could lose over a million cubic metres of sediment, which could harm the coastline's ecological system.
"The area is an environment and natural resources protection zone, so an environment impact study is required for any activities which might harm the environment."
A Commerce Ministry regulation said sand containing over 75% silica oxide could not be exported.
The regulation was designed to preserve sand, which has economic value.Silica is a component used in making cement.
Mr Preecha said the Geo-Technical Office and the company planned to test the silicon level of the sediment.
"We have written to the company and the tambon office demanding a sediment sampling test. The department and company will share the cost," Mr Preecha said.
The sediment could contain a high level of silica, which is protected under the law, the coordinator of the Andaman Organisation for Participatory Restoration of Natural Resources, Thanu Nabneon, said yesterday.
Singapore-based K and Sand Corp has offered to help the Tambon Bang Nai Sri Administrative Office in Phangnga's Takua Pa district clear sediment blocking the mouth of the Takua Pa River.
The company offered the service at no charge on the condition it was allowed to ship the sediment to Singapore, he said.
The firm could not be reached for comment but the Department of Mineral Resources confirmed the request had been made.
The sediment would be cleared from a site measuring 30 square kilometres and up to 11 metres deep, said Preecha Laochu, director of the Department of Mineral Resources' Geo-Technical Office.
Mr Thanu said the firm had asked a handful of state agencies for permission.
"The company claims the sediment has no value for industry and would not breach export regulations," Mr Thanu said.
"But if there is no economic value,why does the company offer to dredge it for free?
"We could lose over a million cubic metres of sediment, which could harm the coastline's ecological system.
"The area is an environment and natural resources protection zone, so an environment impact study is required for any activities which might harm the environment."
A Commerce Ministry regulation said sand containing over 75% silica oxide could not be exported.
The regulation was designed to preserve sand, which has economic value.Silica is a component used in making cement.
Mr Preecha said the Geo-Technical Office and the company planned to test the silicon level of the sediment.
"We have written to the company and the tambon office demanding a sediment sampling test. The department and company will share the cost," Mr Preecha said.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
CRITICS SLAM GOVT'S 'CHEAP' POPULIST POLICY
The new government policy allowing the leasing of 1 million rai of state-owned land to farmers has met more criticism than praise from people who had their plots repossessed thanks to a 2001 Cabinet decision.
In a Bangkok seminar yesterday, critics - labelling the scheme as a populist policy - said the government was handing out stolen property instead of returning it to the rightful owners.
Prayong Phikulthong, an activist known for fighting for the poor, said the "Community Title Deeds" project was unacceptable and vowed to have villagers in Pathum Thani return the deeds they received earlier this month.
"Instead of returning the land to its rightful owners, this government has taken stolen assets and leased them cheaply to gain political benefits. This is unacceptable," Prayong said. He also called on farmers living in other parts of Pathum Thani, who will soon be given leases, to not accept them.
In 2001, Thaksin Shinawatra's first government issued a decree reclaiming 30 million rai of land held by farmers, who had legal claim over the plots since 1970.
Under the current government's "Community Title Deeds" project, about 1 million rai of state-owned land, which comes under the jurisdiction of the Treasury Department, will be leased to farmers or low-income earners at a low rate of Bt20 per rai per year. On September 3, a total of 1,182 farmers based in Pathum Thani received deeds and leasing rights on farmland covering 7,912 rai.
Sunee Chairos, a former Human Rights Commission member, said communities should be granted full authority to manage the project on a permanent basis instead of just 15 years under government supervision.
Panya Khongpan, chairman of the Farmer's Federations Association for Development Thailand, said he was planning to organise a rally of farmers in Nakhon Pathom to demand that they be allowed to manage title deeds and leases through cooperatives.
"Once the 15-year period is over and the land is returned to the Treasury Department, I believe these plots will definitely be transferred or sold to financiers," he added.
Assoc Prof Nualnoi Treerat, a Chulalongkorn University lecturer, said the project should be beneficial to the public, but clear guidelines on management policies were needed to prevent administrative and social headaches once the 15-year period is over.
In a Bangkok seminar yesterday, critics - labelling the scheme as a populist policy - said the government was handing out stolen property instead of returning it to the rightful owners.
Prayong Phikulthong, an activist known for fighting for the poor, said the "Community Title Deeds" project was unacceptable and vowed to have villagers in Pathum Thani return the deeds they received earlier this month.
"Instead of returning the land to its rightful owners, this government has taken stolen assets and leased them cheaply to gain political benefits. This is unacceptable," Prayong said. He also called on farmers living in other parts of Pathum Thani, who will soon be given leases, to not accept them.
In 2001, Thaksin Shinawatra's first government issued a decree reclaiming 30 million rai of land held by farmers, who had legal claim over the plots since 1970.
Under the current government's "Community Title Deeds" project, about 1 million rai of state-owned land, which comes under the jurisdiction of the Treasury Department, will be leased to farmers or low-income earners at a low rate of Bt20 per rai per year. On September 3, a total of 1,182 farmers based in Pathum Thani received deeds and leasing rights on farmland covering 7,912 rai.
Sunee Chairos, a former Human Rights Commission member, said communities should be granted full authority to manage the project on a permanent basis instead of just 15 years under government supervision.
Panya Khongpan, chairman of the Farmer's Federations Association for Development Thailand, said he was planning to organise a rally of farmers in Nakhon Pathom to demand that they be allowed to manage title deeds and leases through cooperatives.
"Once the 15-year period is over and the land is returned to the Treasury Department, I believe these plots will definitely be transferred or sold to financiers," he added.
Assoc Prof Nualnoi Treerat, a Chulalongkorn University lecturer, said the project should be beneficial to the public, but clear guidelines on management policies were needed to prevent administrative and social headaches once the 15-year period is over.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Proxy land holdings come under threat
Thais holding land on behalf of foreigners in breach of legal limits may lose title to the land, Phuket governor Wichai Praisa-ngob says.
Ownership of some parcels of land,thought to be in the hands of nominees of foreign investors, was expected to be revoked, Mr Wichai said yesterday as the province moves to enforce foreign ownership curbs.
Inquiries by the province had discovered at least "four to five landlords might need to have their title deeds cancelled", he said.
They were acting as nominees of foreigners trying to get around curbs on foreign land ownership.
Government help was needed to tackle the problem, he said.
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has asked land officials on the island to investigate 16 plots which they suspect are controlled by foreign businessmen through Thai proxies.
Most of the land, covering thousands of rai, is in tambon Rawai in Muang district.
The plots are owned by five property developers.
"We need to keep checking, but we can't root out the whole thing ourselves,"Mr Wichai said.
The Phuket land office has issued up to 130,000 land title deeds and is now examining 1,000 applications more.
Tambon Choeng Talay in Thalang district is also popular with development companies part-owned by foreigners.
Chief of Choeng Talay tambon administration organisation Manot Pancharat said he supported the province's attempt to get things right.
Land purchases had boomed in Phuket since last year after foreign investors became more interested in housing projects.
Among them are homestays, a type of lodging that provides tourists with an experience similar to that of Thai families.
Democrat MP for Phuket Chalermlak Kebsap said foreign businesses could exploit legal loopholes for their own interest, including tax avoidance.
However, he warned against too much scrutiny, saying it could affect legitimate development in Phuket.
Pol Lt Col Prawut Wongsinil, of the DSI, said a similar problem was occurring in Surat Thani province, where consultancies were giving foreigners advice on how to buy land and get around legal curbs.
Foreigners are suspected of colluding with Thai partners in land development projects which break foreign ownership limits, said the DSI, which is expanding its investigation to Samui island and other tourist provinces.
Ownership of some parcels of land,thought to be in the hands of nominees of foreign investors, was expected to be revoked, Mr Wichai said yesterday as the province moves to enforce foreign ownership curbs.
Inquiries by the province had discovered at least "four to five landlords might need to have their title deeds cancelled", he said.
They were acting as nominees of foreigners trying to get around curbs on foreign land ownership.
Government help was needed to tackle the problem, he said.
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has asked land officials on the island to investigate 16 plots which they suspect are controlled by foreign businessmen through Thai proxies.
Most of the land, covering thousands of rai, is in tambon Rawai in Muang district.
The plots are owned by five property developers.
"We need to keep checking, but we can't root out the whole thing ourselves,"Mr Wichai said.
The Phuket land office has issued up to 130,000 land title deeds and is now examining 1,000 applications more.
Tambon Choeng Talay in Thalang district is also popular with development companies part-owned by foreigners.
Chief of Choeng Talay tambon administration organisation Manot Pancharat said he supported the province's attempt to get things right.
Land purchases had boomed in Phuket since last year after foreign investors became more interested in housing projects.
Among them are homestays, a type of lodging that provides tourists with an experience similar to that of Thai families.
Democrat MP for Phuket Chalermlak Kebsap said foreign businesses could exploit legal loopholes for their own interest, including tax avoidance.
However, he warned against too much scrutiny, saying it could affect legitimate development in Phuket.
Pol Lt Col Prawut Wongsinil, of the DSI, said a similar problem was occurring in Surat Thani province, where consultancies were giving foreigners advice on how to buy land and get around legal curbs.
Foreigners are suspected of colluding with Thai partners in land development projects which break foreign ownership limits, said the DSI, which is expanding its investigation to Samui island and other tourist provinces.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
"Natural" fuels ignite power struggle
Villagers in many parts of the country are up in arms over proposed natural gas and biomass power plants in their communities By Tunya Sukpanich
"This project must stop," said Wanna Rodpitak, a member of the Chachoengsao Provincial Administration Organisation who has led the protest against a natural gas-fueled power plant in Bang Khla district,about 60 kilometres east of Bangkok. Protests against the proposed power plant on 500 rai of land in tambons Samed Nue and Samed Tai, with a generating capacity of 1,600 megawatts, have been ongoing for almost two years.
The scene is being repeated in many provinces with planned natural gas and biomass power plants, with determined protestors in Chiang Rai, Saraburi, Ubon Ratchathani, and Prachuab Khiri Khan among other places demanding the projects be terminated and refusing any compromise. In some areas locals are blocking roads or obstructing work on construction sites.
Mr Wanna insists that such protests represent the true voice of the communities which will be most affected by the plants. His group began their protest in early 2008 soon after learning of the project in their district.
They were not included in any decision to construct a power plant in their backyard,they say, and only became aware of the project after their suspicions were aroused that something was going on, as more and more land in the area was being bought up, and later large pipes were delivered to some of the sites.
More than 20,000 locals signed a petition requesting detailed information from every agency that might be involved, including the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Industry,the Office of the Parliament and provincial authorities
"We tried every method to make the authorities listen to our reasons why we do not want the power plant, but nothing happened.Finally, in July last year we blocked the road for three days," said Mr Wanna.
"After negotiations, a so-called tripartite committee and a sub-committee were set up to find a solution, but they never functioned,"he continued.
The locals worry that the plant might cause air pollution, but they are most concerned about the tremendous amount of water it will need for its operation from the Bang Pakong River."We know the plant will need 60,000 cubic metres of water per day for its system. Of that, half will evaporate into the air and another 20,000 cu m will be treated and released back into the river.
"What will happen in the dry season, what will happen to farmers? We need water too,"he said.
Water is also the reason for the locals'protest in Saraburi's Nong Saeng district,where another gas-fueled power plant is in the works. They are very disappointed that the plant's environment impact assessment (EIA) was recently approved by the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (Onep).
"Both the state authorities and the company involved want to deny us the right to protect our way of living as farmers. What is really ironic is that the power plant site is in a planned agricultural preservation zone in the province," said Tee Trairattanamanee, who along with two other villagers was recently arrested for obstructing work on the construction site.
Villagers have petitioned concerned authorities in an attempt to obstruct any work on the planned construction site, and have asked various organisations to help study the rich biodiversity of the area to establish its ecological value. This site too is part of a planned agricultural zone.
"We plant rice three or four times a year.Any project with the possibility of damaging our environment and the natural resources essential to farming should not be allowed,"said Mr Tee.
BENEFITS DOUBTED
Villagers in Chiang Rai, Phayao, Ubon Ratchathani and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces are protesting proposed power plants fueled by biomass in the form of agricultural waste.
The government believes biomass is most suitable for Thailand because it is a renewable energy source, using rice husks, bagasse, coconut wastes, wood chips, animal dung and other agricultural waste as fuel.
A study from the Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency shows that each year about 13 million tonnes of bagasse, five million tonnes of rice husks,and 1.7 million tonnes of cassava roots are left as farm waste. The study says one MWhour of electricity can be produced by 14,100 tonnes of bagasse,9,800 tonnes of rice husks or 14,687 tonnes of cassava roots.
The government has been promoting biomass power plants among the private sector. At the present time,17 biomass power plants - most of which fall into the category of Very Small Power Producer (VSPP), referring to a generating capacity of not more than 10MW - using bagasse, cornstalks, woodchips, rice husk, and waste from palm trees sell electricity to the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT).
Most of the opposition against biomass power plants is based on the air pollution that results in burning the organic matter to create energy. As well, many locals are angry that they have been left out of the decisionmaking process.
Article 67 of the Constitution says that individuals and communities have the right to conserve, protect and to benefit from local natural resources and biodiversity, and prohibits any projects or activities which can cause serious negative impacts to the environment, natural resources and public health.The Constitution further states that if the authorities want to pursue a project with the potential to cause these negative impacts a comprehensive EIA must be conducted. This must include a public hearing process with the participation of locals and independent environmental and public health organisa-tions. Local communities can file a lawsuit against government agencies, local authorities or state enterprises if they do not follow the rules.
However, many small power plants avoid the EIA process because regulations state that plants with less than a 10MW capacity don't need to conduct an EIA. A number of power plants are proposed which will generate only 9.9MW.
Locals feel the rules are being manipulated to deny them participation in the process and they are distrustful of assurances from the government and the companies involved that environmental impacts will be minimal.They feel a thorough study is essential to ensuring the protection of their lifestyle and environment.
A planned biomass power plant which will use coconut waste as its energy source in Tap Sakae district of Prachuab Khiri Khan province has faced a strong protest from the locals,even though many will earn extra income from selling coconut waste to the plant. Initially the plan was for a 5MW capacity plant but this was changed to 9.6MW.
Locals are concerned about the possibility of air pollution, and, according to Anchulee Chumrum, of the Huay Yang conservation group, they also fear the plant might shift to other fuel sources such as coal if there is not enough coconut waste to supply it.
Villagers in Wiangchai and Wiang Chiangrung district of Chiang Rai province are protesting against a planned rice husk-fueled power plant with a capacity of 9.4MW. The company involved, Palang Gharn Sa-ad Dee 2, is in the process of preparing a suit to be filed at the Administrative Court to allow it to construct the plant as soon as possible.
A representative of Palang Gharn Sa-ad Dee 2 said the company has done everything according to the law and regulations. He said that the operation of rice husk-fueled power plants in Surin and Pichit provinces, run by other companies, has proved that they are friendly to the environment, and pointed out that promoting biomass power plants is government policy. He called on the government to take an active role in solving the widespread and ongoing protests which threaten the industry.
Protests have halted the development of even plants much smaller than the 10MW limit, such as a planned plant with a capacity of 1.8MW in Tambon Mae Na Rue of Phayao province. Last year, a proposed 9.6MW biomass power plant in Dok Kham Tai in Phayao was also called off because of strong protest from the locals.
Deunnapa Panyawong, of the Mae Na Rue conservation group, said that the tambon administration organisation (TAO) and villagers turned down the smaller project because it is located close the community,and the local school. She pointed out that without the proper system and management even a small plant can cause significant pollution.
She questioned if the company had studied the local farm production before they came up with the scheme. The plant was supposed to use rice husks and cornstalks as fuel.
"This is doubtful because there is no rice mill in the area since we don't plant much rice here," she said.
Ms Deunnapa added that many locals fear that lignite coal might be used as fuel, especially as the mines that supply the Mae Moh lignite power plant in nearby Lampang province are in the vicinity of Mae Na Rue.
Meanwhile, some plant operators are apparently concerned that the government's promotion of biomass power plants will result in a problem in fuel supply. One operator told Spectrum that with high competition from both Thai and foreign investors, farm biomass will be much more expensive.
NOT IN MY BACKYARD: The past decades of reckless energy management in Thailand have resulted in widespread suspicions and protests whenever a new power plant is proposed.
ACTIVIST: Wanna Rodpitak has led the protest against the power plant in Bang Khla district of Chachoengsao province for almost two years
OPPOSED: Left, Tee Trairattanamanee is leading the protest against the power plant in Saraburi province.
"This project must stop," said Wanna Rodpitak, a member of the Chachoengsao Provincial Administration Organisation who has led the protest against a natural gas-fueled power plant in Bang Khla district,about 60 kilometres east of Bangkok. Protests against the proposed power plant on 500 rai of land in tambons Samed Nue and Samed Tai, with a generating capacity of 1,600 megawatts, have been ongoing for almost two years.
The scene is being repeated in many provinces with planned natural gas and biomass power plants, with determined protestors in Chiang Rai, Saraburi, Ubon Ratchathani, and Prachuab Khiri Khan among other places demanding the projects be terminated and refusing any compromise. In some areas locals are blocking roads or obstructing work on construction sites.
Mr Wanna insists that such protests represent the true voice of the communities which will be most affected by the plants. His group began their protest in early 2008 soon after learning of the project in their district.
They were not included in any decision to construct a power plant in their backyard,they say, and only became aware of the project after their suspicions were aroused that something was going on, as more and more land in the area was being bought up, and later large pipes were delivered to some of the sites.
More than 20,000 locals signed a petition requesting detailed information from every agency that might be involved, including the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Industry,the Office of the Parliament and provincial authorities
"We tried every method to make the authorities listen to our reasons why we do not want the power plant, but nothing happened.Finally, in July last year we blocked the road for three days," said Mr Wanna.
"After negotiations, a so-called tripartite committee and a sub-committee were set up to find a solution, but they never functioned,"he continued.
The locals worry that the plant might cause air pollution, but they are most concerned about the tremendous amount of water it will need for its operation from the Bang Pakong River."We know the plant will need 60,000 cubic metres of water per day for its system. Of that, half will evaporate into the air and another 20,000 cu m will be treated and released back into the river.
"What will happen in the dry season, what will happen to farmers? We need water too,"he said.
Water is also the reason for the locals'protest in Saraburi's Nong Saeng district,where another gas-fueled power plant is in the works. They are very disappointed that the plant's environment impact assessment (EIA) was recently approved by the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (Onep).
"Both the state authorities and the company involved want to deny us the right to protect our way of living as farmers. What is really ironic is that the power plant site is in a planned agricultural preservation zone in the province," said Tee Trairattanamanee, who along with two other villagers was recently arrested for obstructing work on the construction site.
Villagers have petitioned concerned authorities in an attempt to obstruct any work on the planned construction site, and have asked various organisations to help study the rich biodiversity of the area to establish its ecological value. This site too is part of a planned agricultural zone.
"We plant rice three or four times a year.Any project with the possibility of damaging our environment and the natural resources essential to farming should not be allowed,"said Mr Tee.
BENEFITS DOUBTED
Villagers in Chiang Rai, Phayao, Ubon Ratchathani and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces are protesting proposed power plants fueled by biomass in the form of agricultural waste.
The government believes biomass is most suitable for Thailand because it is a renewable energy source, using rice husks, bagasse, coconut wastes, wood chips, animal dung and other agricultural waste as fuel.
A study from the Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency shows that each year about 13 million tonnes of bagasse, five million tonnes of rice husks,and 1.7 million tonnes of cassava roots are left as farm waste. The study says one MWhour of electricity can be produced by 14,100 tonnes of bagasse,9,800 tonnes of rice husks or 14,687 tonnes of cassava roots.
The government has been promoting biomass power plants among the private sector. At the present time,17 biomass power plants - most of which fall into the category of Very Small Power Producer (VSPP), referring to a generating capacity of not more than 10MW - using bagasse, cornstalks, woodchips, rice husk, and waste from palm trees sell electricity to the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT).
Most of the opposition against biomass power plants is based on the air pollution that results in burning the organic matter to create energy. As well, many locals are angry that they have been left out of the decisionmaking process.
Article 67 of the Constitution says that individuals and communities have the right to conserve, protect and to benefit from local natural resources and biodiversity, and prohibits any projects or activities which can cause serious negative impacts to the environment, natural resources and public health.The Constitution further states that if the authorities want to pursue a project with the potential to cause these negative impacts a comprehensive EIA must be conducted. This must include a public hearing process with the participation of locals and independent environmental and public health organisa-tions. Local communities can file a lawsuit against government agencies, local authorities or state enterprises if they do not follow the rules.
However, many small power plants avoid the EIA process because regulations state that plants with less than a 10MW capacity don't need to conduct an EIA. A number of power plants are proposed which will generate only 9.9MW.
Locals feel the rules are being manipulated to deny them participation in the process and they are distrustful of assurances from the government and the companies involved that environmental impacts will be minimal.They feel a thorough study is essential to ensuring the protection of their lifestyle and environment.
A planned biomass power plant which will use coconut waste as its energy source in Tap Sakae district of Prachuab Khiri Khan province has faced a strong protest from the locals,even though many will earn extra income from selling coconut waste to the plant. Initially the plan was for a 5MW capacity plant but this was changed to 9.6MW.
Locals are concerned about the possibility of air pollution, and, according to Anchulee Chumrum, of the Huay Yang conservation group, they also fear the plant might shift to other fuel sources such as coal if there is not enough coconut waste to supply it.
Villagers in Wiangchai and Wiang Chiangrung district of Chiang Rai province are protesting against a planned rice husk-fueled power plant with a capacity of 9.4MW. The company involved, Palang Gharn Sa-ad Dee 2, is in the process of preparing a suit to be filed at the Administrative Court to allow it to construct the plant as soon as possible.
A representative of Palang Gharn Sa-ad Dee 2 said the company has done everything according to the law and regulations. He said that the operation of rice husk-fueled power plants in Surin and Pichit provinces, run by other companies, has proved that they are friendly to the environment, and pointed out that promoting biomass power plants is government policy. He called on the government to take an active role in solving the widespread and ongoing protests which threaten the industry.
Protests have halted the development of even plants much smaller than the 10MW limit, such as a planned plant with a capacity of 1.8MW in Tambon Mae Na Rue of Phayao province. Last year, a proposed 9.6MW biomass power plant in Dok Kham Tai in Phayao was also called off because of strong protest from the locals.
Deunnapa Panyawong, of the Mae Na Rue conservation group, said that the tambon administration organisation (TAO) and villagers turned down the smaller project because it is located close the community,and the local school. She pointed out that without the proper system and management even a small plant can cause significant pollution.
She questioned if the company had studied the local farm production before they came up with the scheme. The plant was supposed to use rice husks and cornstalks as fuel.
"This is doubtful because there is no rice mill in the area since we don't plant much rice here," she said.
Ms Deunnapa added that many locals fear that lignite coal might be used as fuel, especially as the mines that supply the Mae Moh lignite power plant in nearby Lampang province are in the vicinity of Mae Na Rue.
Meanwhile, some plant operators are apparently concerned that the government's promotion of biomass power plants will result in a problem in fuel supply. One operator told Spectrum that with high competition from both Thai and foreign investors, farm biomass will be much more expensive.
NOT IN MY BACKYARD: The past decades of reckless energy management in Thailand have resulted in widespread suspicions and protests whenever a new power plant is proposed.
ACTIVIST: Wanna Rodpitak has led the protest against the power plant in Bang Khla district of Chachoengsao province for almost two years
OPPOSED: Left, Tee Trairattanamanee is leading the protest against the power plant in Saraburi province.
Friday, September 11, 2009
City elephants get park in Surin
Surin is to be home to a new elephant park to shelter jumbos rescued from city streets.
A number of elephants have died or been seriously injured in accidents in Bangkok and other cities after being hit by cars, falling into potholes or suffering an electrical shock.
In the latest bid to solve the seemingly insurmountable problem, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry will set up an elephant shelter on 6,000 rai owned by the Royal Forest Department and the Forestry Industry Organisation, permanent secretary Saksit Tridech said yesterday.
Initially, about 100 stray elephants were expected to be relocated to the shelter, which could become another tourist attraction in Surin, dubbed "elephant city" because of the number of captive elephants in the province.
"We are going to invite all related parties such as the Interior Ministry and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and elephant owners to discuss how to operate the shelter in a way that will help solve the elephant problem,"Mr Saksit said.
The Department of National Parks,Wildlife and Plant Conservation believes there are about 2,000 elephants living in the wild and about 3,000 in captivity.
Officials estimate about half of the captive elephants have been forced to roam city streets and tourists sites at some stage.
Mattana Srikrachang, the wildlife department's elephant expert, said more needed to be done to stop elephant owners from bringing the animals into the major cities and putting their lives at risk. That included overhauling the captive elephant registration system so the authorities could get an accurate count of the number of captive elephants as well as information about their ownership and working places.
The data would help authorities come up with effective plans to manage and protect the elephants from danger.
A number of elephants have died or been seriously injured in accidents in Bangkok and other cities after being hit by cars, falling into potholes or suffering an electrical shock.
In the latest bid to solve the seemingly insurmountable problem, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry will set up an elephant shelter on 6,000 rai owned by the Royal Forest Department and the Forestry Industry Organisation, permanent secretary Saksit Tridech said yesterday.
Initially, about 100 stray elephants were expected to be relocated to the shelter, which could become another tourist attraction in Surin, dubbed "elephant city" because of the number of captive elephants in the province.
"We are going to invite all related parties such as the Interior Ministry and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and elephant owners to discuss how to operate the shelter in a way that will help solve the elephant problem,"Mr Saksit said.
The Department of National Parks,Wildlife and Plant Conservation believes there are about 2,000 elephants living in the wild and about 3,000 in captivity.
Officials estimate about half of the captive elephants have been forced to roam city streets and tourists sites at some stage.
Mattana Srikrachang, the wildlife department's elephant expert, said more needed to be done to stop elephant owners from bringing the animals into the major cities and putting their lives at risk. That included overhauling the captive elephant registration system so the authorities could get an accurate count of the number of captive elephants as well as information about their ownership and working places.
The data would help authorities come up with effective plans to manage and protect the elephants from danger.
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