Villagers Of Chiang Mai's Mae Taeng District Protest Against A Rock Grinding Project

[Jai Dee]

Villagers of Chiang Mai's Mae Taeng district protest against a rock grinding project

Chiang Mai villagers will ask the Administration Court to revoke a rock grinding concession in tambon Ho Mae Pra (หอแม่พระ) in Mae Taeng (แม่แตง) district.

The villagers said they were worried about effects on the environment, tourist attractions and water sources from dust and other pollutants if a rock grinding plant is built there.

They said they have fought against rock grinding for more than 10 years and now need to block entry to the area to protect the nature.

They will bring the matter to the Administrative Court.

Chiang Mai deputy governor Thongchai Wongrianthong (ธงชัย วงศ์เหรียญทอง), meanwhile, said the provincial administration can not revoke the concession without good reasons or it has to pay a lot of fine to the rock grinding firm.

Mr. Thongchai said an environment impact assessment had been conducted and results were endorsed so the provincial administration could not cancel the concession now.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 05 September 2006

[chownah]

Does anyone know what kind of rocks are being ground.....I've been looking for a source of rock phosphate in Thailand and I'm wondering if that's what they're producing.