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SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE
Villagers barred from petitioning on Mae Sot SEZ
THE NATION


PM BRIEFED ON ECONOMIC ZONE Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha makes a point while being briefed about the planned special economic zone in Tak, during his visit to the northern province

Residents of Tak; other northern provinces oppose land expropriation

BANGKOK: -- VILLAGERS from several northern provinces yesterday joined a protest in Tak's Mae Sot district against land expropriation to make way for a special economic zone in the area.

However, they were barred from directly handing petitions against the orders and other complaints to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who was visiting the site.

According to executive orders 64/2014 and 66/2014, large land plots would be expropriated for building the Mae Sot SEZ.

Villagers also voiced complaints about serious environmental and other consequences from mining operations in nearby Phitsanulok, Phetchabun and Phichit provinces as well as the shortage of electricity in some of these areas.

Many villagers said they had sent letters to their local administrations, the Interior Ministry's Damrongdhama Centre and the National Human Rights Commission, but there had been no response.

They decided to submit the petitions to Prayut directly, but were prevented by security and other personnel from meeting the prime minister during his official visit to inspect the SEZ.

Prayut's government has been promoting the establishment of at least six SEZs to boost trade and investment with neighbouring countries - Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Malaysia.

The Mae Sot SEZ is next door to Myanmar. It also covers nearby Phop Phra and Mae Ramat districts.

While checking progress on city planning and road and other infrastructure construction, the prime minister raised the issues of resident sentiment and the relocation plan.

Prayut urges 'better understanding'

He urged local administrations to foster a better understanding with residents, while authorities should also highlight economic and other benefits from the SEZs.

"People who live in the areas should be well informed about the merits of the master plan," he said.

"I'd like the mayors to explain [to local people about] conditions in each zone and see whether there is a possibility to expand the projects."

Residents should also be helped to stay in the areas, he said.

SEZs on the borders with neighbouring countries would help boost the country's export-dependent GDP growth, which has been hit hard by the global economic slowdown, as the economies of CLMV (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam) still have high growth potential, advocates say.

Prayut also met with the chairman of Myanmar's Myawaddy Chamber of Commerce, which is located opposite Mae Sot district.

He also urged Thai immigration officials to speed up installation of more equipment for personal identification at the border checkpoints where many migrant workers cross into Thailand.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Villagers-barred-from-petitioning-on-Mae-Sot-SEZ-30268020.html


-- The Nation 2015-09-03

[BigBadGeordie]

"the merits of the master plan."

This phrase seems all too familiar!

[ramrod711]

Villagers also voiced complaints about serious environmental and other consequences from mining operations in nearby Phitsanulok, Phetchabun and Phichit provinces as well as the shortage of electricity in some of these areas.

I imagine that electricity shortages won't be a problem for companies that participate in SEZ, as for the employees, "Let them eat cake".

[chainarong]

The attitude needs to be co - operation , from all parties , it is no use being anti everything and it is no use polluting everything, for too long the villagers have been left out of decision making by arrogance, however the villagers need to understand that progress needs to happen , you cannot live in the past , also new projects give employment to the people, but not at the expense of pollution or environment destruction , departments like Mining , Environment and Health must be able to have laws /rules/ procedures in place that can lead to suspension of operations through to prosecution of polluters or environmental damage with heavy penalties , instead of the villagers having to call in the Police.

[BuaBS]

Seems to me that a SEZ in the middle of nowhere just on the border with Myanmar , is just another means to exploit Myanmarese low wage workers.

[bamnutsak]

Seems to me that a SEZ in the middle of nowhere just on the border with Myanmar , is just another means to exploit Myanmarese low wage workers.

SEZ's are Field Marshall Prayut's pride and joy; I think he wrote a paper on the subject. His interest being primarily "national security"

The goal is to keep these pesky migrant slaves huddled near the borders, rather than spread out inside the country, where they can be exploited for cheap labor. And they can be easily herded back to their country.

The issue is that cheap labor is really needed everywhere, and it is challenging to segregate it at the borders.

[Seastallion]

""People who live in the areas should be well informed about the merits of the master plan," he said."

Yes, and they should also be informed of their legal rights.

Under The Expropriation of Land statute, they have a right to refuse, which ultimately can only be over-ruled by Royal Decree. Should that decree be issued, they are to be paid market rates for their assets that they will lose.

[Transporter]

""People who live in the areas should be well informed about the merits of the master plan," he said."

Yes, and they should also be informed of their legal rights.

Under The Expropriation of Land statute, they have a right to refuse, which ultimately can only be over-ruled by Royal Decree. Should that decree be issued, they are to be paid market rates for their assets that they will lose.

More trouble caused by arrogance and greed then!

[billd766]

""People who live in the areas should be well informed about the merits of the master plan," he said."

Yes, and they should also be informed of their legal rights.

Under The Expropriation of Land statute, they have a right to refuse, which ultimately can only be over-ruled by Royal Decree. Should that decree be issued, they are to be paid market rates for their assets that they will lose.

A lot depends on the title of the land where they live.

Links

http://www.samuiforsale.com/knowledge/thailand-land-title-deeds.html

http://www.doingbusinessthailand.com/blog-thailand/doing-business-in-thailand/thailand-real-estate-doing-business-in-thailand/thailand-property-land-rights-classification-minor-claims.html

[Seastallion]

""People who live in the areas should be well informed about the merits of the master plan," he said."

Yes, and they should also be informed of their legal rights.

Under The Expropriation of Land statute, they have a right to refuse, which ultimately can only be over-ruled by Royal Decree. Should that decree be issued, they are to be paid market rates for their assets that they will lose.

A lot depends on the title of the land where they live.

Links

http://www.samuiforsale.com/knowledge/thailand-land-title-deeds.html

http://www.doingbusinessthailand.com/blog-thailand/doing-business-in-thailand/thailand-real-estate-doing-business-in-thailand/thailand-property-land-rights-classification-minor-claims.html

True.

I mentioned the Expropriation of Land law because I looked into it recently when the city council rolled up on our soi and said we all have to move, and that they'll swap our houses for new ones (yet to be built) in the land development (private) that is going to happen, and for which they need our soi to make a wider road.

Everyone was quite disturbed, but didn't argue.

But the council people did a sales job on all of them, and the promise of a new house was too much.

I then pointed out that if they agree and sign, their houses will be demolished, and the land development has not even started....they'd all be renting for years...maybe forever. I suggested that they only agree to the land/house swap ONCE they have seen what they will be getting, otherwise, the law applies and they do not have to agree to anything.

(And in this case, I doubt any royal decree would come because it is for a private development, backed by the council, but not a public work.)

[oneday]

This is what happens in a government where the people have no say...in a non-Democratic government. The people are pushed aside for the greater good of the rich.