EEC law ‘harms local people’

[webfact]

EEC law ‘harms local people’

By Pratch Rujivanarom 
The Nation

 

 

Expansion in three provinces only suits foreign investors, warn rights experts
 

THE EASTERN Economic Corridor (EEC) programme, the country’s largest-ever infrastructure and industrial scheme involving a combined investment of several hundred billion baht, faces an uncertain future if local land use issues are not quickly resolved.

 

Local people and land experts yesterday expressed concerns about the consequences of the industrial expansion and infrastructure development within three EEC provinces: Chon Buri, Rayong and Chachoengsao.

 

They pointed out that the EEC Act lacked good governance on the management of land and natural resources and had also sidestepped many environmental protection measures for the sole reason of attracting investment.

 

 

The EEC Act is now officially in force after the law was published in the Government Gazette on Monday.

 

Meantime, the EEC Office of Thailand (EECO), which recently signed several agreements with Chinese e-commerce and Internet giant Alibaba, is stepping up its efforts to promote selected areas within the three provinces among international investors, with roadshows planned for Japan and the UK next month.

 

Laksamon Attapitch, deputy secretary-general of EECO, said the EEC law empowered the government and local state agencies to make it easy for foreigners to invest in the three provinces. Seminars would be held next month to explain details of the special law before prospective investors in cooperation with the Board of Trade, Federation of Thai Industries and Thai Bankers Association.

 

 

Under the EEC law, government agencies have special powers to bypass city-planning regulations in specially designated areas, while environmental impact studies and other requirements are also fast-tracked to boost the country’s attractiveness in the eyes of international investors.

 

Japan is expected to be the first destination for the EEC roadshow since many Japanese investors are interested in launching their projects in EEC.

 

UK businessmen are also said to be keen to invest in the project.

 

A high-powered EEC policy committee will also be set up soon to speed up the EEC programme.

 

Besides Japan and the UK, Thai ambassadors globally will play a leading role in promoting EEC investment in the international community. 

 

The government is hoping a new generation of industries and businesses, including those using digital and other new technologies, will invest in Thailand and take advantage of the country’s favourable geographical location in Asean, which has a combined market of more than 600 million people.

 

Land Watch Working Group coordinator Pornpana Kuaycharoen said that a land grab was not a new problem to the Eastern Region but with the arrival of the EEC, it would intensify. The EEC Act allows investors to cherry-pick any plot of land belonging to the official agencies, she said.

 

“The land problems in the Eastern Region are very severe on many levels,” Pornpana said.

 

“Not only have large amounts of land already fallen into the hands of giant private investors but plots of land that belong to government agencies are also prime targets for industrial expansion under EEC. 

 

 

“The law also allows for the expropriation of these plots of land for EEC investment very easily.”

 

The land conflict at Tambon Yothaga in Chachoengsao’s Bang Nam Priao District is an example of the disputes that may arise elsewhere in EEC provinces in the near future, she said. 

 

Many families living in about 4,000 rai of Royal Thai Navy land may face eviction if the area is developed as per the plan of EEC’s new city development, she added.

 

“This is the most vivid flaw of the EEC law, since it does not have good land governance and there is no clear plan for how to mitigate the problems and remedy the displaced people from EEC development.

 

“Even though we still do not have a clear estimate of how many communities in the three EEC provinces are at risk of land expropriation, we can say that unless the land policy on EEC Act is improved, many local people will severely suffer from land loss, while rich investors are allowed to take advantage of land requisition.”

 

Local people also view the enforcement of the EEC Act with suspicion. 

 

Rangsan Prai-tale, a local fisherman from Chon Buri’s Bang Lamung District, said the new law only benefited investors, while neglecting the interests of local people.

 

“I can see in this law that there is no part where the local people can take part in the development of their locality,” Rangsan said.

 

“Most of the law is aimed at providing special benefits for the investors and exemptions of many legal measures to protect the environment and people’s rights.”

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30345484

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-05-16

[YetAnother]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

They pointed out that the EEC Act lacked good governance on the management of land and natural resources and had also sidestepped many environmental protection measures for the sole reason of attracting investment.

such is the way of the 'greater good', rights of others and anything less than the whole are subservient

[Lungstib]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Under the EEC law, government agencies have special powers to bypass city-planning regulations in specially designated areas, while environmental impact studies and other requirements are also fast-tracked to boost the country’s attractiveness in the eyes of international investors.

 

Leaving 'business' as the sole decision maker affecting the lives of many thousands of Thais who just might like the idea of clean air, fresh water and a simpler lifestyle.

[smutcakes]

Why the hell would the brightest minds in the digital sector, and the brightest new graduates from Thai universities want to be based in deepest, darkest Rayong. Like it or not for the most part they want to be based in Bangkok and its surroundings, not 2.5 hours away. Its a nonsense, and i presume the agencies supporting the digital hub part of this are just tagging a long and making the right noises until it dies its natural death. Other aspects of the EEC development plan, particularity infrastructure improvement and the expansions of Leamchabang and Mataphut ports will be beneficial. (although it will be difficult to expand Mataphut without major local opposition again)

[Cadbury]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

A high-powered EEC policy committee will also be set up soon......

A high-powered committee certainly sounds a lot more impressive than a common old garden variety committee. Probably means more up-market and expensive seafood buffets and resorts for their meetings?

[mikebell]

How does signing away 51% of your company benefit foreigners?

[smutcakes]

36 minutes ago, mikebell said:

How does signing away 51% of your company benefit foreigners?

Why do companies need to sign away any of their company?

[Lupatria]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Expansion in three provinces only suits foreign investors, warn rights experts

That is what to expect when 10.000 filthy rich Chinese go shopping...

[Srikcir]

2 hours ago, mikebell said:

How does signing away 51% of your company benefit foreigners?

Doesn't the EEC provide for 100% foreign ownership?

[Srikcir]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Under the EEC law, government agencies have special powers to bypass city-planning regulations in specially designated areas

Prayut also invoked Article 44 to expedite the EEC development. So whatever EEC law doesn't bypass, Article 44 will.

The junta needs money in the treasury to finance its 20-year reform plan, especially in the event that a newly elected government isn't pro-junta. While a new elected government can't alter the 20-year plan without an almost impossible amendment to the constitution, it could restrain its budget citing other critical budget priorities to slow the reform plan implementation.

[KiwiKiwi]

This is still Thailand isn't it?

 

So same ole same ole then...

[mikebell]

23 hours ago, smutcakes said:

Why do companies need to sign away any of their company?

I thought you had to have 51% Thai share-holders in any company here?

[smutcakes]

1 hour ago, mikebell said:

I thought you had to have 51% Thai share-holders in any company here?

No. Thai companies can be majority foreign owned, there is no requirement for them to be 51% Thai shareholders. If the Thai company wants to buy freehold land then they need to have more than 50% Thai ownership. (In most cases). However for industrial areas or schemes like this it is fairly irrelevant. 100% owned foreign companies can own land 100% freehold in industrial estates which are scattered all over the EEC area, and those who don't want to go inside an Industrial estate can buy with BOI approval 100% freehold in an industrial park or zone. BOI approval to buy land in industrial parks or zones is rarely turned down.

 

If there is no freehold option available, companies can lease on 50 year lease with extension possibility, which in he digital world is a lifetime.

[mikebell]

Thank you Smutcakes - I was basing my thoughts on owning a house/land in company name.