It was such a mess for the ministry to have its public hearing on a power development plan cancelled due to mounting pressure from protesters from Prachuap Khiri Khan. Threatening to storm the Siam City Hotel, the protesters got the full attention of the management.

A member of the Sukosol family, the hotel's owners, was spotted yesterday with a pale face, apparently fearing that the situation could explode out of control and cause damage to his property.

But cancelling the public hearing did not shield Piyasvasti from all threats.

When he retreated from the hotel to the ministry's premises, 300 protesters followed him. Gathering there, they embarked on a mini-Hyde Park show on a temporary stage.

Steaming with overheated emotion about the planned construction of a coal-fired power plant in Prachuab Khiri Khan, they took turns to speak to the microphone. Their speeches were aimed directly at Piyasvasti as a supporter of coal consumption. The speeches grew overwrought over time, with a lot of dirty words.

Unable to tolerate the cursing, Piyasvasti decided that he must do something. He walked up to the stage and asked for the microphone. He tried in vain to calm the crowd down but the protesters kept shouting abuse. At last, he decided to retreat. But when he was on his way down from the stage, protesters stormed around and snatched at him.

The ministry's permanent secretary and senior officials came to the rescue. At last, Piyasvasti was saved, but his tie had been yanked askew and his shirt nearly torn off.

It was reported that Piyasvasti looked rather gloomy after the incident. Hardly surprising.

Another public hearing must be conducted before the ministry can wrap up the power development plan which will set out how much energy Thailand will consume and what fuels we need.

With the hearing cancelled, the ministry needs to find a new venue. But what hotel would be delighted to host a meeting after the latest threats of mob violence?

Certainly, coming up from Prachuab Khiri Khan aboard a fleet of big buses must have cost them a packet of money. Who knows whether they'll be able to afford another trip to Bangkok to attend a rescheduled meeting?

For the sake of their cause, they were ready to burn plenty of diesel to get to Bangkok. Piyasvasti must be unhappy to witness the unwise fuel consumption, aside from the attendant violence.

achara_d@nationgroup.com