Mining plan for far South could inflame tensions: Thai activists

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Mining plan for far South could inflame tensions: activists
By Pratch Rujivanarom 
The Nation 

 

BANGKOK: -- THE plan to expand the mining industry into deep South provinces may deepen the conflict between local people and authorities and intensify the insurgency, activists warned.

 

Last week, the Primary Industries and Mines Department announced it would cooperate with the Internal Security Operations Command 4 to develop the mining industry and related industries in Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, and parts of Songkhla to make use of resources, create jobs and boost local economies.

However, this plan has been strongly opposed by local activists. Mustarsheedeen Waba, coordinator of the Southernmost People’s Network of Community Rights and Environment Safeguards for Peace (Permatamas), said the authorities did not ask locals for consent to any proposals and people still did not have any information about the plan.

 

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30298835

 

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