Udon Thani group seeks ban on potash mining

[webfact]

Udon Thani group seeks ban on potash mining
THE NATION


Udon Thani deputy governor Somwang Phoungbangpho, in blue, yesterday receives a petition from Manee Boonrawd, head of the Udon Thani environment conservation group.

UDON THANI: -- A PETITION to stop the approval process for potash-mine concession was given to the Udon Thani deputy provincial governor by a local environmental group, amid concerns of a new push for potash mining approvals.

The Udon Thani environment conservation group, headed by Manee Boonrawd, gathered at Udon Thani City Hall yesterday to protest against the efforts to allow potash mining in five tambons of Udon Thani's Prachaksinlapakhom district.

The petition was received by Udon Thani deputy provincial governor Somwang Phoungbangpho. He agreed to set up a new committee to review the project with Somwang himself heading the committee.

The potash-mining project, which was proposed by Asia Pacific Potash Corp, has met with strong opposition from the local environment group, as they stated the project will take a heavy toll on the the livelihood of the locals and the environment of their hometown.

In September, a potash mine public hearing forum had faced criticism from opponents that the army and authorities backed the project by hosting the forum in the army camp.

It was reported from the scene that soldiers were also seen monitoring the protest.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Udon-Thani-group-seeks-ban-on-potash-mining-30273274.html


-- The Nation 2015-11-19

[Kasset Tak]

OK they can stop those potash mines but then they should also stop the farmers in Udon Thani from using industrial fertilizers because that's what they need the potash for. The potash is used to get the potassium needed to make ordinary NPK fertilizers so if you don't want the mine then don't buy fertilizers!!!

[maderaroja]

OK they can stop those potash mines but then they should also stop the farmers in Udon Thani from using industrial fertilizers because that's what they need the potash for. The potash is used to get the potassium needed to make ordinary NPK fertilizers so if you don't want the mine then don't buy fertilizers!!!

Hear! Hear! More buffaloes making more kee is what we need. Not potash.

[eliotness]

It's called NIMBY.

[Bluespunk]

It's called NIMBY.

It's not in my back yard and I support their position..........

[eliotness]

Has one of the new super fast-tracked EIAs been applied in this case ? Holding the "public" meeting in an army camp just says so much. Someone in the elite club obviously stands to make a lot of money.

[farmerjo]

I thought a commitee is already looking into this from the ministers office.

Its a chance for the government to do something for the majority of its people,farmers

But once again we see minority groups getting the headlines.

And when it finally gets approved,they will still complain.

[Bluespunk]

I thought a commitee is already looking into this from the ministers office.

Its a chance for the government to do something for the majority of its people,farmers

But once again we see minority groups getting the headlines.

And when it finally gets approved,they will still complain.

As they should if the operation of this mine is done in such a manner that it is a danger to the environment and those living near it.

[Srikcir]

This project will be a lot of wealth to Thailand for the next 30-40 years. This project is the very essence of economic sustainability.

Rather than the current military government assisting the company to bully project startup against citizen concerns, it should be partnering with citizens to assure their environmental and economic security. But building coalitions with the public doesn't seem to be the current government's interest. Having already deprived Thais of their constitution and self-determination, it seems to favor a continued path of force against Thai citizens.

Old habits die hard.

[jaywalker]

I thought a commitee is already looking into this from the ministers office.

Its a chance for the government to do something for the majority of its people,farmers

But once again we see minority groups getting the headlines.

And when it finally gets approved,they will still complain.

As they should if the operation of this mine is done in such a manner that it is a danger to the environment and those living near it.

Yep, Thai mines are probably not the cleanest, so can't blame them for NIMBY.

Too bad brown envelopes make local pollution a side non-issue.

I'm no tree-hugger. Trees were put on earth to be chopped down, just like grass was made for cows to eat & such, and I absolutely despise the "Global Warming" paranoia, but I utterly DESPISE pollution and litter even more, if that makes sense.

Mines are necessary, but it's also necessary (to me) that they operate as clean as possible.