Toxic Thailand

[elkangorito]

Just for a change of pace, has anybody seen this report from "101 East" (Aljazeera)?

I notice that the word "corruption" was not used throughout this program.

This program has connections with the below thread:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Pollution-Fe...mp;hl=pollution

Saturday, 22nd of April, 2010.

It is one of the world's largest petrochemical hubs and has been driving Thailand's industrial growth for decades.

But critics accuse the refineries at Map Ta Phut of contaminating the area's air and water, resulting in at least 2,000 cancer-related deaths among local residents.

Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate was established over 20 years ago as part of the government's policy to develop Thailand's eastern seaboard.

But a landmark ruling to protect the environment last year has made both foreign and domestic investors nervous.

The legal tussle is threatening the nation's economy and thousands of jobs.

On this edition of 101 East, we ask if Thailand can strike a balance between big business and the environment.

The story on the Aljazeera website:

http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/10...9545638882.html

[elkangorito]

I'll be buggered!!! Nobody gives a hoot about pollution in Thailand.

I would've thought that at least the foreigners (I don't like saying 'farangs'...it's silly) who live near this area would be interested or curious about the quality of water in their wells (if they have wells).

Oh "well"...

[coolerking]

I am interested, but then I am interested in pollution everywhere.

This is a happy-go-lucky news report that sugar coat's the bigger problems.

Nice to see it in the news though, good find.

[Richb2004v2]

'Lack of regulation and enforcement of standards'

I'd say that about sums Thailand up.

I also noticed the total lack of the word 'corruption' too. How can that be?

Very interesting anyway. Thanks.

The presenter in the orange top is quite pleasing on the eye too.

[wasabi]

The pollution in Thailand makes me not want to live there much more than the political instability. The state of the air and water is quite simply disgusting, even more so that no one seems to give a dam_n as the problem gets worse.

[spud1]

It would be refreshing if pollution were a major concern in Thailand now.I'd be happy to worry about abit of carbon monoxide poisoning.

[PattayaParent]

Don't worry, the US corporate machine with their governmental support won't let a bit of pollution stop the development of Map Ta Phut.