Rayong Residents Ask Un To Inspect Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate

[sbk]

Rayong residents ask UN to inspect Map Ta Phut industrial estate

BANGKOK, Oct 29 (TNA) – The Eastern Peoples’ Network and local residents in the eastern province of Rayong is demanding that the United Nations (UN) inspect impacts from the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate, saying the projects in practice have not been put on hold as ordered by the court.

Sutthi Atchasai, Eastern People Network coordinator and a representative of villagers affected by the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estat, submitted a letter to the United Nations (UN) through Sanath Ranawana, a coordinator of the United Nations Development Problem (UNDP) to inform the international community that the Thai government had not complied with the court order to suspend 76 industrial projects.

Practically, all projects still proceeded, he claimed. The group demanded that the UN and relevant agencies look into the matter as to whether Thailand is conforming with the environment related conventions Thailand signed with the world body.

They called on the UN to take action to urge the Thai government to comply with the convention before a tragedy occurs from industrial pollution.

The UN representative accepted to bring the issue to the attention of the secretary-general and would send specialists equipped with equipment to evaluate the environmental quality and inspect the areas around the Map Ta Phut industrial estate.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will meet local residents affected by the industrial projects on Friday morning, Mr Sutthi said, adding that after the meeting with Mr Abhisit the group will consider whether to take further action to remove the prime minister.

The group has also prepared documents to petition the administrative court to oppose the government’s appeal.

The court is due to hear the case on Monday.

On September 29, Thailand’s Central Administrative Court ordered 76 industrial projects in Map Ta Phut industrial zone in Rayong to temporarily stop operating amid continued concern over critical environmental and health impacts.

The Office of the Attorney-General early this month appealed, asking the Supreme Administrative Court to revoke the injunction putting 76 industrial projects on temporary hold. (TNA)

-- TNA 2009/10/29

[gotlost]

Unfortunately the UN can not take care of it's self let along others.

[PattayaParent]

The US government is already putting pressure on to get this temporary injunction thrown out in the final ruling so getting the UN involved is not going to be a benefit to the locals as the UN is controlled by the US.

[thaihome]

Actually, I don’t think the US government is getting involved in this much at all. I think the main pressure is coming from the Japanese, as except for PTT, they are one most impacted. There is one US Company, Dow Chemical, which has one plant on the list.

Note that the “local” groups are being funded and directed by foreign NGS’s. I believe one of the main, behind the scenes players, is Greenpeace.

TH

[PattayaParent]

Excerpts from the Thai national press.

US Ambassador and American businesses are calling on the Thai government to quickly resolve the environmental issues associated with the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate so that investors could continue their work.

US Ambassador Eric Long met with Thai Prime Minister along with 20 members of the Council of American Chambers of Commerce (APCAC)

US investments in MTP account for one eighth of all US investment in Thailand which stands at $24 Billion. The US is Thailand’s third largest trading partner.

[thaihome]

Excerpts from the Thai national press.

US Ambassador and American businesses are calling on the Thai government to quickly resolve the environmental issues associated with the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate so that investors could continue their work.

US Ambassador Eric Long met with Thai Prime Minister along with 20 members of the Council of American Chambers of Commerce (APCAC)

US investments in MTP account for one eighth of all US investment in Thailand which stands at $24 Billion. The US is Thailand’s third largest trading partner.

The PM went around and met with ambassadors and business groups from a bunch of countries. All are very nervous as to where this could go.

The last statement is amazing in it's irrelevancy. This issue is about future (or ongoing) projects. The fact that there is $24 billion in existing plants in Maptaphut has nothing to do with current problem. Also what does the fact that the US is the third largest trading partner have to do with stopping projects to build petro-chemical and power plants? Again, there is only one US Company building one complex (actually in JV with SCG) involved in this. Construction has started with completion date of 2011. The Japanese have something 10 or more.

TH

[PattayaParent]

I guess the last paragrpah means that the US has a vested interest in those plants not being shut down and that they have some clout to be able to persuade the Thai government that it would not be in their best interests to allow it to happen as it would affect current and future investment potential.

[SeanMoran]

On September 29, Thailand’s Central Administrative Court ordered 76 industrial projects in Map Ta Phut industrial zone in Rayong to temporarily stop operating amid continued concern over critical environmental and health impacts.

It should be interesting to return next month to a tambon around midway between Mapthaput and Pluak Daeng, and see whether the situation with the air quality has improved, although it would be optimistic to expect flowing water in the shower every morning at this early stage, and no more of that red toxic mud that I used to wash in back in 2005.

To be able to breathe a little fresh air off the sea breeze at night might help some with the asthma, which is why I found Chantaburi to be much cleaner for asthmatics. Same sea breezes? Same Gulf? Why such a noticable change in the ventolin and prednisolone dosages over a week?

I reckon the difference between Nikhom Pattana and Chantaburi came down to one cause, and it would seem to have been Mapthaput, but hopefully things will be less hazardous next month. I'll report back in January if possible on whether there may've been any improvement over the conditions in 2005.

[PattayaParent]

^Seeing as the plants that were in operation in 2005 are still in operation, with new ones added since then, I don't expect you'll notice any differnce.

[SeanMoran]

^Seeing as the plants that were in operation in 2005 are still in operation, with new ones added since then, I don't expect you'll notice any differnce.

Mate, I just after all I survived back in 2548 (2005) I hope can report back a few positive changes after Christmas on the weekly dosages of salbutamol and prednisolone, because it was significantly unnatural back then in those few months, and only speaking anecdotally as a sort of asthmatic canary in a petrochemical mine.

Edited November 14, 2009 by SeanMoran