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Network slams order on Songkhla public gathering
Somchai Samart
The Nation



Wants governor to step down from public review of coalfired project

SONGKHLA: -- THE PUBLIC review of the project to erect a coal-fired power plant and a coal pier in Songkhla's Thepha district is scheduled to start today amid tight security.

It remains unclear whether Songkhla Governor Thamrong Charoenkul's ban on unauthorised gatherings in the vicinity will help the public review go ahead smoothly. The project, after all, has long faced stiff opposition.

"Police will be the main force in ensuring public order during the event. The military will play a supporting role," Songkhla police chief Maj-General Amporn Bua-rabporn said yesterday. He said 400 police officers were to be deployed today.

"Between 150 and 200 police officers will be on duty at the public-review venue," he said.

The public review is scheduled to take place today and tomorrow at the Tambon Pak Bang Administrative Organisation.

Amporn said police would enforce the law strictly if anyone was found to have mobilised others in a way that would wreak havoc.

Thamrong, citing his power under the Public Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Act, ordered a ban on unauthorised gatherings in the vicinity of the public-review venue from yesterday to tomorrow. He said anyone who violates the ban or obstruct officials' operation shall risk up to three months in jail, and/or a fine of up to Bt6,000. Thamrong's move is widely seen as an effort to facilitate the public-review stage. He said yesterday his focus was on the safety of the people because Thepha district is in an area prone to unrest.

The Network of Songkhla and Pattani People against Coal-Fired Power Plant yesterday submitted a petition against Thamrong's order.

"The order is illegitimate. It obstructs the process to gather people's opinions and violates the principle of protecting people's and community's rights," the petition said. The petition also demanded that Thamrong step down as chairman of the public-review stage, and that the public scoping, public forum and review for the project be cancelled.

"If we don't get a satisfactory response, we will stage a rally," said Ekkachai Issarata of the network. Banjong Nasae, another prominent member of the network, said the order reflected the governor's bias against people who disagreed with the project.

"Apparently, he has tried to restrict the movement of the civil sector," he said. He added that when Thamrong's order was finally ruled as "illegitimate", there would be grounds to nullify the validity of the public-review results.

Thamrong insisted that he was not biased, though he admitted he personally felt that the project should get the green light if the project's owner, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, could generate benefits for locals and prevent adverse impacts.

"But definitely, I hope to see Thepha residents come out and express their opinions on the project. Don't let outsiders rule the fate of the Thepha people," he said.

Thamrong's warning reflects his worry that some activists may bring outsiders to the public-review stage, which is reserved for the project's stakeholders.

Egat assistant governor Pol Kongsua said the agency has coordinated with authorities in the area for security officials to maintain order on the days of the public hearing. The Fourth Army Commander and the Songkhla provincial governor have instructed full deployment of officials to ensure the event was held without violence and chaos, he said.

"There are no signs of difficulty," he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Network-slams-order-on-Songkhla-public-gathering-30265276.html


-- The Nation 2015-07-27

[Bluespunk]

"Thamrong's move is widely seen as an effort to facilitate the public-review stage. "

Nope.

[FangFerang]

And more undemocratic dust swept under the junta's rugs....soon no one will be able to navigate the room...

[Srikcir]

Pattani People vs outsiders

If the Junta isn't careful this event maywill evolve into a muslim Malay-Thai vs Junta contest. Can the Junta afford to push the project against the will of the people when it might remind the 4 million muslim Malay-Thais that they have no right to their sovereignty?

A miscalculation by the Junta will only serve to reinvigorate and strenghten the insurrgency in the process.

Edited July 27, 2015 by Srikcir