Strong local opposition to Sahaviriya's expansion

Local people in Prachuab Khiri Khan gathered to pressure local authorities to halt the giant steel company's site clearance for its planned construction of a smelting plant. The Chair of Mae Ramphueng administrative body finally gave in and revoked the approval he previously gave to allow clearance of the site.

On Nov 21, local environmentalists from Mae Ramphueng, Ban Krud, Thap Sakae, Ao Noi and Bo Nok sub-districts joined forces in their protest at Bang Saphan district office to demand that the local authorities revoke the permit issued by the Chair of Mae Ramphueng Tambon Administrative Organization on Nov 9.

The protesters are opposed to the planned expansion of Sahaviriya Steel Group to construct a smelting plant in addition to its existing huge steel factories in Bang Saphan district, claiming as one of the reasons that the land filling and levelling on the site would cause flood problems in the area as the site was the only natural water catchment in the district.

They said the transport of soil by trucks to fill the 1,142-rai plot of land to a 4-meter elevation would disrupt local people's livelihood and affect their health and safety. And the company has yet to get approval for the Environmental Impact Assessment of its smelting plant, so the permission given by the Chair of Mae Ramphueng TAO was unlawful.

Withun Buaroi of Mae Ramphueng conservation group and Jintana Kaewkhao of Ban Krud conservation group said that if they did not receive a response from the district chief, they would spend the night at the district office.

At about 5pm, Kriangkrai Jaidee, Chair of Mae Ramphueng TAO decided to sign a revocation of his previous permission for the land clearance before the protesters.

After that, the protesters moved to hold another rally in front of the Western hotel in Bang Saphan district where Sahaviriya company was preparing to accommodate its prospective co-investors from China.

They gathered in front of the hotel for about two hours before learning that the company had cancelled the room booking to avoid the protest, so they dissolved.

 

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Translated by Ponglert Pongwanan

Source: 
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