[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index ][Thread Index ]

Rally draws few locals



June 5, 1997

BANGKOK POST

GAS PIPELINE PROJECT

Rally draws few locals

Thaksina Khaikaew Suebpong Unarat 
Kanchanaburi


A rally in Kanchanaburi by groups opposing the Yadana gas pipeline failed to 
draw the interest of local people.

Billed as a rally to force the Petroleum Authority of Thailand to re-route its 
pipeline, it attracted only 50 people to the City Pillar to hear speeches and 
view exhibition boards.

Although most local people are against the 16.5-billion-baht project, many are 
passive in their opposition.

Also conspicuous by their absence were state officials who oppose the project 
but want to keep their jobs, but protesters said they would not give up.

Meanwhile, a source at the Industry Ministry said a study indicated re-routing 
the natural gas pipeline would create more problems than retaining the 
original route.

Tasco Mannesmann, building the pipeline, has asked Her Majesty the Queen to 
have the project re-routed to minimise the environmental impact and tone down 
the protests.

The petition reportedly prompted the Bureau of the Royal Household to advise 
the prime minister to consider the project more carefully.

The source said the alternative route along Highway 3272 in Thong Pa Phum 
district passes rugged terrain, making pipe-laying difficult and dangerous.

Moreover, Burma was unlikely to approve the change of route which might pose a 
threat to the minorities living near a new route.

The source said the move also stands to hurt relations between the Thai and 
Burmese military who surveyed and agreed on the original route.

PTT sources have raised suspicions about the motive of the re-routing 
suggestion. They said construction was behind schedule and by changing the 
route, the construction period would be extended and the contractor would 
avoid paying fines to the PTT.

The company would also earn more from the extended route, they said.

The source said the Industry Ministry now feels uncertain about the project 
implementation after Tasco lodged its petition.

Chucheep Harnsawat, the agriculture minister, has said the Forestry Department 
has not approved plans to build the pipeline through a forest reserve and a 
national park.