A large crowd gathered in downtown Bangkok to protest the government’s plan to build a coal-fired power plant in a touristic southern province on the Andaman Coast.
On Thursday afternoon, 23 July 2015, about 300 people gathered in front of Government House in Bangkok to urge the military government to halt plans to build a coal-fired power plant and a coal pier in the southern province of Krabi.
The crowd included many Krabi natives, environmental activists from the Save Andaman from Coal network, and tourism industry entrepreneurs from the province.
They demanded that the ongoing process to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Health Impact Assessment (EHIA) on the project should be halted.
Moreover, the group requested the government to call off next month’s planned state auction on the coal-fired power plant project and asked the authorities to form a committee to study the feasibility of other sustainable ways to generate energy.
Anti-power plant protesters stayed in front of Government House until the evening on Thursday.
Before the crowd dispersed, a military officer who claimed to be an advisor to Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the junta leader and Prime Minister, told the protesters that the PM has agreed to follow their demands. However, there was no official confirmation from the authorities.
The group and relevant state officials are expected to meet on Friday morning to draft a formal agreement regarding the project.
On the same day, activists from the Young People for Social-Democracy Movement, Thailand (YPD) issued a statement to support the anti-coal power plant protesters.
In their statement ‘Against Coal-fired Power Plants in the Country and Supporting Alternative Energy Sources’, the youth activists said they are concerned about the lack of public participation and consultation in the project.
“The integrity of the environment and clean air are public property that no one can claim and destroy,” said the YPD statement.
In early 2014, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) proposed to build a controversial 60 billion baht (about USD 1.8 billion) coal-fired power plant with 870 megawatts (MW) capacity and a coal seaport adjacent to it in Nuea Khlong District of Krabi Province.
The plan is viewed favourably by the junta. However, it has been heavily criticised by many environmental groups and local residents who fear the environmental impact from the plant. According to Gen Prayut, the power plant will guarantee Thailand’s energy security.
People who are against the coal fired power plant project gathered in front of the Government House on 23 July 2015
