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Rally draws few locals
- Subject: Rally draws few locals
- From: ausgeo@xxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 05 Jun 1997 05:54:00
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.