Cabinet Approves Eastern Seaboard Industrial Development

[george]

Greenpeace wants Mab Ta Phut declared pollution control zone

BANGKOK: -- Greenpeace Southeast Asia, a regional environmental organisation, Monday urged the Thai government to brand its eastern seaboard Map Ta Phut industrial zone in the eastern Rayong province as a 'pollution control' area as a first step towards tackling pollution problems in and around the area.

Kittikhun Kitti-a-ram, coordinator of the Greenpeace Southeast Asia toxic campaign, said Deputy Prime Minister and Industry Minister Kosit Panpiemras, in his capacity as chairman of Thailand's National Environment Committee, should immediately declare the Map Ta Phut industrial zone as a pollution watch zone.

The move would be considered an initial step to deal with the pollution crisis that is threathening the lives of villagers in Map Ta Phut and surrounding communities, he said.

He suggested that as a sustainable way to solve the problems, the government should implement clean production procedures and encourage companies to ease their use of, or altogether stop using toxic substances and replace them with safer materials in their production lines.

As a short-term resolution, he said, the government should stop allowing the expansion of industries that create pollution in heavily polluted industrial estates such as Map Ta Phut.

--TNA 2007-02-05

[alexth]

What about Bangkok? When is Bangkok going to be declared a 'pollution control' area?

[Etrigan]

The mushroom corals around the Samaesan used to be everywhere, literally thousands of them off the coast of Koh Chuang, Samaesan. Now, you're lucky to spot more than a handful. The reefs of Thailand's Eastern Seaboard are suffering to much stress. Unless something is done soon, the reefs will die.

[Jai Dee]

Cut Map Ta Phut pollution now: expert

A specialist on occupational diseases has urged agencies to urgently eliminate pollution in Map Ta Phut for the sake of the workers and residents.

"Don't wait for concrete evidence to prove whether toxic agents are the culprits behind the sicknesses or deaths. If you find pollution is higher than safety standards, just quickly reduce it," said Dr Chatchai Ekpanyaskul, an occupational diseases expert from Srinakharinwirot University's Faculty of Medicine.

Chatchai said doctors could only show the association between pollutants and cancer, but could not prove pollutants caused cancer.

"If you allow the pollutants to be in the environment, it means you give it time to kill people," he said.

The Pollution Control Department (PCD) has found 40 volatile organic compounds, including 19 cancer-causing agents, contaminating the air at a higher level than the safety standard of the US Environmental Protection Agency.

The agents included suspected human carcinogen Acrolein, Trichloroethylene which cause cancer of the liver, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, cervical cancer and leukaemia, and benzene, cancer-causing agents for various types of leukaemia. Power plants at Map Ta Phut were also found to have emitted sulphur dioxide beyond safe levels. The gas causes respiratory problems.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) found a high rate of new cases of cancer in Rayong province, with Muang district - where the industrial complex is situated - having the highest rate of cancer among the province's eight districts.

The NCI survey, conducted from 1998 to 2000, found that in Muang 189.7 males in every 100,000 were diagnosed as having cancer, while the ratio among females was 183.4 in every 100,000.

There were also three other districts with a high rate of cancer cases. Klaeng, Ban Khai and Wang Chan are located to the northeast of Muang district.

Anond Snidvongs, an oceanologist from Chulalongkorn University, said that as a Gulf coastal province Rayong faced north and northeast-bound monsoon winds eight months a year.

"Logically, airborne pollutants would spread in the same direction as the winds," he said.

On January 11, the PCD asked the National Environmental Board to declare Map Ta Phut industrial complex, which comprises four industrial estates, as a pollution-control zone under the 1992 Environmental Protection Act.

Such a declaration would allow the PCD to control emission levels of factories within the zone, while the area could not be used for a third phase of petrochemical-industry development as planned.

The board, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Industry Minister Kosit Panpiemras, rejected the proposal and set up two subcommittees to study the relationship between illnesses and pollutants. Kosit said he gave the factories one year to curb toxic emissions, otherwise he would declare it a pollution-control zone.

Uthai Janthima, governor of the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand, welcomed the board's decision.

"To declare a pollution-control zone without concrete evidence will cause damage," he said recently during a meeting with representatives of Map Ta Phut communities.

But the decision upset people involved in public health.

"The association between people's sickness and the toxic agents is so clear. The point is whether you want to accept it or not," said Sunantha O-siri, manager of the Eastern Health System Research Management Centre.

Source: The Nation - 7 February 2007

[Jai Dee]

Initial plan to solve pollution in Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate has been made

Deputy Prime Minister and Industry Minister Kosit Panpiemras said the plan to solve pollution problems in Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate is becoming more apparent, and he is scheduled to visit the site next month.

Mr. Kosit said the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Energy, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment had a discussion on the plan to solve pollution problems in Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate. He said the initial plan has been developed, and all involved agencies will travel to the industrial estate to clarify the plan nest month.

The Department of Industrial Works have formed a committee to administer this issue, and the Deputy Permanent Secretary for Industry is the committee chairperson. Mr. Kosit stated that in the middle of next month, another middle-term plan will be developed with the contribution of the public and it will be integrated with the initial plan.

At the same time, Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate has launched a public health fund for the 25 communities residing in the estate. The fund has a supporting budget of 10 million baht. The residents will be informed about the fund on February 19th.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 07 Febuary 2007

[Jai Dee]

Industry Ministry asks industrial operators in Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate to wait for pollution-control plan to be more apparent

The Ministry of Industry has asked involved industrial operators to slow down the construction of factories in Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate and wait for the pollution-control plan to be clearer.

Deputy Prime Minister and Industry Minister Kosit Panpiemras talked about the cooperation between the Permanent Secretaries for Industry, Energy, and Natural Resources and Environment on Map Ta Phut’s pollution-control plan. He said the Energy Ministry will cooperate with PTT Public Company Limited in postponing the 3rd phase of the petrochemical investment project and the investment promotion project which has already been approved by the Board of Investment of Thailand in Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate. Mr. Kosit has asked industrial operators to develop a mutual understanding with the local residents before carrying out their operations.

Permanent Secretary for Energy Pornchai Rujiprapa said the plan to solve the pollution issues in Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate should be wrapped up next week. He said the Ministry of Energy will help oversee the petrochemical industry and PTT’s LNG project.

He also said the PTT has not yet studied the environmental impacts on two other areas that the company is planning to invest on.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 07 Febuary 2007

[Jai Dee]

Cabinet approves eastern seaboard industrial development

The Cabinet has approved a property development project to support Thailand's future petrochemical and energy ventures.

The Deputy Spokesperson to the Prime Minister's Office, Mr. Natthaway Suthiyothin (ณัฐฐวัฒน์ สุทธิโยธิน), revealed that the Cabinet has been discussing property development to accommodate future petrochemical and energy needs of the nation in accordance with proposals by the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board. The project aims to study the feasibility of industrial development in the eastern and southern region of Thailand.

The Cabinet has assigned relevant agencies to initiate the project. The Cabinet has also emphasized public cooperation, environment conservation, pollution control, and focus on the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Ocean.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 25 April 2007

[Jai Dee]

MAP TA PHUT PROJECTS

PTT, Siam Cement get go-ahead

Ministry cites 'very low level' of pollution

PTT and Siam Cement have been given the greenlight by the Industry Ministry to proceed with their planned petrochemical projects in the Map Ta Phut industrial zone, despite growing concerns for local residents' health.

"We have already strictly screened the projects before giving the approval. These two projects have efficient operating systems and emit pollution at a very low level," Deputy Industry Minister Piyabutr Cholvijarn said yesterday.

Other investment projects without environmental impact assessments remain suspended, he said.

No officials at PTT or Siam Cement could be reached to re-veal details of the approved projects.

The move came amid concerns that more projects in the area would increase toxic emissions, while the government has outlined an environmental master plan to control and reduce hazardous substances in the area.

Most of the toxic substances are believed to come from petrochemical plants in Map Ta Phut, Rayong, which is the heart of the Eastern Seaboard.

Several plants have already invested heavily on new equipment to reduce pollution emissions.

Earlier, Industry Minister Kosit Panpiemras said that due to cooperation from existing plants, the toxic levelas in the area should be reduced according to the master plan within a year and that should allow businesses to proceed with those new projects that pass environment impact assessments.

About seven to eight power and petrochemical plants are planned for the area to benefit from the proximity of existing plants.

Despite the companies' desire to stay close together, the government sees the need to find a new location for industrial plants, now that Map Ta Phut is nearly full.

Piyabutr said that out of a total area of 120,000 rai, Map Ta Phut has only 20,000 rai left, and that is sufficient to accommodate only the petrochemical plants in the third development phase.

"We have to speed up the study to find a new location because Map Ta Phut can support expansion projects for just five more years," he said.

Piyabutr told the Cabinet yesterday that the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) has proposed the development of a 20,000-rai industrial estate in the South, either in Surat Thani or Nakhon Si Thammarat. A committee would be set up, chaired by NESDB secretary-general Ampon Kittampon, to conduct an in-depth feasibility study, including estimating an infrastructure development budget.

The Cabinet stressed that the study should focus on environmental impacts. The weekly meeting agreed to set up a committee of the public and private sectors and communities to supervise the environmental situation.

A fund for long-term development and a mechanism for controlling pollution emissions from industries would be considered for the future.

The new industrial estate study is expected to be completed and approved by the interim government.

Source: The Nation - 25 April 2007

[Dakhar]

Yes,

Wouldn't that be great if some wealthy falang co could come along and invest heavily without fear of haveing it stolen one day.... errr nope wont happen,

Wouldin't that be great if some wealthy thai could come along and invest heavily wothout fear of haveing it stolen one day, like say the King Power co etc. err nope wont happen

[sriracha john]

What would be great would be if a ANYONE would come to the Eastern Seaboard and build with a concern for the environment as well as the inhabitants in the area and not build there to avoid scrutiny as they dump their toxic wastes. A huge attraction to the multi-nationals for going there is avoiding any type of EPA rules which add to their cost of doing business and cut into their precious profits.

Nope, won't happen.

About seven to eight power and petrochemical plants are planned for the area

Not encouraging... more heavy metal poisonings, lymphomas, birth defects, etc. etc. etc.

A fund for long-term development and a mechanism for controlling pollution emissions from industries would be considered for the future.

In the interim, a whole generation is damaged.

[Jai Dee]

IEAT kicks off project to promote environmentally-friendly industry

Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) kicks off project by allowing people to visit and inspect industries, to gain confidence on environmentally-friendly industry.

Director of Mab Ta Pud Industrial Estate Pirawat Rungroengsri (พีระวัฒน์ รุ่งเรืองศรี) reveals IEAT has launched the project, saying 101 industries in Mab Ta Pud have registered to participate in the project. Communities in each area will send theirs representatives to observe waste elimination system of industries if they reach the standard of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The project will start on May 30th.

Mr. Pirawat says industries plan to purchase waste elimination equipment to reduce the proportion of dangerous gas emitted to the air by 30-40 percent. However, he says Mab Ta Pud has reached EIA standard.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 27 April 2007

[Jai Dee]

Democrat Party gives govt. advices on pollution control in Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate

The Deputy Spokesman of the Democrat Party, Mr. Sathit Pitutecha, says the government’s preliminary measures in solving pollution problems in Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate are satisfactory but insufficient.

The government has encouraged industrial operators in Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate to manage pollution during the production process and they will receive tax reduction as a reward. In addition, the government has allocated a budget of 40 million to implement the Strong Rayong project.

However, Mr. Sathit suggests the government to issue more measures in solving pollution problems in Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate. He would like to government to stop new investment projects in this industrial estate, to determine penalties against the factories that emit toxic wastes, and to issue laws on the standard of pollution management prior to the opening of a factory.

Mr. Sathit also demands the government and the executives of IRPC Company, formerly known as TPI, to stop setting up the new coal- fired power plant in Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate because the site is located near the residential areas by just one kilometer. He says it could cause problems to the residents in the future.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 14 May 2007

[Tony Clifton]

The Eastern seaboard has become a garbage dump in many places. These were taken yesterday on pristine Bang Saen beach. Only a few places remain clean down the coast, Koh Chang and it`s rooms/tourist boats dumping human waste directly in the water was quite disgusting. Quite a challenge to snorkel and come back up for air while avoiding clouds of dissolving human feces and plastic bags.

Pics from yesterday in bang Saen. The pictures don`t do justice to the amount of garbage floating and washed up ashore. A lot of it may come from all the heavy boat and barge traffic and lots from Koh Si Chang right across. I can`t even imagine what chemicals can be found in a water sample there.

I would have strictly told my children not to even dip as much as a toe in there.

I counted at least two condoms on this picture.

Here`s a small section of the beach where the entire lenght was covered with garbage, mostly plastic and rubber. I am actuallyconvinced you could find every article available at Tesco there, as long as it floats.

[Jai Dee]

Industry Ministry gears up to reduce pollutions in Rayong industrial estate

The subcommittee looking after the issue of idustrial pollution and wastes released by industries in Rayong (ระยอง) Province, has announced plans to reduce as much pollution as possible in the Rayong industrial estate.

Deputy Permanent Secretary to Industry Ministry Damri Sukhothanung (ดำริ สุโขธนัง) as the President of the subcommittee discloses he has assigned relevant agencies to expedite the implementation to reduce pollution. Meanwhile, Energy Ministry, Department of Industrial Works, Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand have jointly develop plans to eliminate mass pollution.

In addition, the three agencies have conducted reports to seek proper measures. These measures will be concluded and reported again in the beginning of the next month.

Mr. Damri said the subcommittee will take responsibility in following up the progress of the project, including the project's evaluation.

Some top measures include the leakage of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the reduction of the emission of Nitrogen oxide (Nox) and Sulfur dioxide (SO2) to the air, and quality control of wastewater released from industries in addition to lowering the amount of garbage.

The designation of the subcommittee concerning pollution problem is deemed as a proactive measure to help conserve environment, and every agency should give its hand.

The Board of Investment (BOI) will provide incentives, including tax exemptions to imports of machines.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 18 May 2007

[Jai Dee]

PM to deliver policy on pollution reduction

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont paid a visit to the Mab Ta Phut Industrial Estate in Rayong Province today (May, 23rd) to acknowledge progress of pollution control in the area and deliver policy on pollution reduction to relevant units.

The premier and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry Kosit Pampiemras (โฆสิต ปั้นเปี่ยมรัษฎ์) are scheduled to travel to Rayong to discuss the pollution problem of the Mab Ta Phut Industry Estate with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Industrial Estate of Thailand, the Department of Industrial Woks, PTT Plc. and Siam Cement group.

After the prime minister has delivered the policy on pollution reduction, he and his entourage will go to the Laem Chabang (แหลมฉบัง) Pier, Chonburi Province.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 23 May 2007

[Jai Dee]

PM today follows up progress in tackling pollution at the Map Ta Phut

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont today follows up progress in tackling pollutions discharged from the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate in Rayong (ระยอง) province.

Today (May 23rd), at 15.00 hours, the premier and Deputy Prime Minister and Industry Minister Kosit Panpiemras (โฆสิต ปั้นเปี่ยมรัษฎ์) are scheduled to visit the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate. Relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Industrial Estate of Thailand, Department of Industrial Works, PTT Public Company Limited, and the Siam Cement Group, will report theirs performance in solving pollution at the area.

The two big companies, PTT and Siam Cement Group, will inform its further pollution-control plans.

At the same time, factories will grant money for community fund, saying the money will be used for improving Rayong residents’ quality of life.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 23 May 2007

[Jai Dee]

National Environment Committee refuses to announce Mab Ta Phut as the special pollution control area

Thailand Environment Institute (TEI) says the National Environmental Committee has refused to announce Mab Ta Phut Industrial Estate as the special pollution control area, indicating its pollution control projects work efficiently.

TEI President Sanit Aksornkaew (สนิท อักษรแก้ว) remarks the announcement of the special pollution control will empower local administrative organizations on managing environment, considered it is beyond the local administrative organizations’ capability.

The government has urged private sector to control pollution emitted by factories in Mab Ta Phut Industrial Estate, meaning private sector have to take all financial burdens.

The Industrial Estate of Thailand will help invest 15-20 million baht in the establishment of meteorological measuring station.

Mr. Sanit adds agencies have cooperated together to create over 50 projects used for controlling pollution, while the government has allocated 40 million baht for tackling pollution in Mab Ta Phut. The cooperation is considered adequate for controlling pollution at the area, and it is unnecessary to announce the area as the special pollution control area.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 01 June 2007

[Mid]

my country , not my land ............................

[Jai Dee]

Ministry of Industry tackles industrial pollution outside of Maptaphut

The Ministry of Industry is preparing to shut down pollution emitting factories outside of the Maptaphut Industrial Estate.

The Deputy Minister of Industry, Mr. Piyabuth Cholwicharn (ปิยบุตร ชลวิจารณ์), revealed that after officials have tackled pollution issues at the Maptaphut Industrial Estate in Rayong province, efforts will be directed at suppressing more than 75 industrial water pollution sources ouside of Maptaphut. Most of these pollution-emitting factories are small operations and are reportedly releasing toxic chemicals into nearby rivers.

The Deputy Minister of Industry affirmed officials would expedite the closure of these factories. Mr. Piyabuth added that authorities have set a pollution reduction rate of at least 70 percent over a 1 year period for the Maptaphut Industrial Estate.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 04 June 2007

[Mid]

Group attacks govt over factory pollutionThu, June 7, 2007 : Last updated 0:10 am (Thai local time)

The Network of Eastern People is planning to lodge a complaint with the Administrative Court against Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont and the National Environmental Board (NEB) before the end of the month.

"They have failed to carry out their duties when they decided not to declare Map Ta Phut area a pollution-control zone, but then allowed the construction of more factories in the area," the network's co-ordinator Sutti Atchasai said yesterday.

Conducted between 1997 and 2001, a National Cancer Institute study found Map Ta Phut residents had three to five times more reported incidences of leukaemia than people living elsewhere.

The Network of Eastern People strongly believes that Map Ta Phut residents suffered because they had to live near "toxic" industrial estates.

The Nation

Rayong