Mae Wong Dam Project a test for checks and balances 
By Piyaporn Wongruan 
The Nation

 

Mae Wong

 

BANGKOK: -- The Mae Wong Dam controversy is back in the headlines following the Administrative Court’s ruling late last month that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and other parties concerned must adhere to Article 67 of the 2007 Constitution in dealing with the matter.

 

Paragraph 2 of Article 67 has long been a mantra for communities demanding that the state conduct thorough environmental and health impact assessments (EHIA) for projects with potential severe impacts. It requires the state to listen to the voices of affected citizens and heed views of the Independent Commission on Environment and Health before going ahead with the projects.

Although conservationists have argued that the article is far from perfect, since it has no power to halt harmful projects completely, it remains the sole tool for communities to wield in bargaining for better management of their environment.

 

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30301708

 

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Should that not read ' Cheques ( Checks ) and Brown Envelopes ' ?