Unregulated Soil Excavation Alleged In Pathum Thani

[sbk]

Quarry regulations 'too weak'

TAO not seen fit to issue permits

APINYA WIPATAYOTIN

Pathum Thani _ Local officials have expressed concern over the rapid expansion of the soil excavation business in this province and blame weak regulations for the uncontrolled quarry operations that are now also seen as a serious environmental concern.

''The Tambon Administration Organisation (TAO) has absolute power to give a green light to the business, but the problem is that the TAOs lack the capacity to control the operators or punish them if they fail to follow safety regulations,'' said a senior provincial disaster prevention and mitigation official.

continued at the Bangkok Post