During his visit to survey industrial pollution at Map Ta Phut, Deputy Prime Minister and Industry Minister Kosit Panpiemras yesterday said that, in spite of the action plan, factories in Rayong province could not expand their facilities for the time being without consent from local communities and the assurance that pollution can be contained at a safe level.

The ministry earlier decided to suspend new investment in Map Ta Phut, one of the country's largest industrial sites, after pollution from industrial plants was found to have risen to hazardous levels.

The further suspension means that 40 to 50 projects - including those of PTT - will continue to be put on hold. These projects are part of the industrial expansion under Petrochemical Phase 3. Once realised, the combined investment of these projects would total more than Bt100 billion.

Asked about his plan for Petrochemical Phase 3, Kosit said: "I am not seriously considering the proposal until the environment problem is sorted out.

"The project's still on the table."

He said the further delay was essential, adding, "Otherwise, the factories will open amid conflict."

Kosit also said the action plan to be submitted next Friday would be developed into a master plan for industrial estate expansion.

"Without this, the expansion of the industrial estate will cause problems. We won't achieve sustainable industrial growth. Now the industry has to focus on productivity and pollution control," he said.

The action plan to be submitted by the Industry Ministry will consist of three points.

First, it will focus on pollution reduction, concentrating on air pollution. Each factory is required to propose its plan to the ministry on pollution control measures. Some plants may have to put up additional investment to ensure their environmental protection measures are up to standard.

Secondly, a five-year plan will spell out infrastructure management systems to ensure that waste or residue treatment does not result in a negative environmental impact.

The ministry will seek the government's budget and cooperation to realise such effective management, from fiscal year 2008. The exact figure of the required budget is pending a proposal from each agency.

Thirdly, a plan to create effective management mechanisms will be established through two task-force subcommittees. The first will be a multiparty panel consisting of local communities, business people, non-governmental groups and local media. The governor of Rayong will chair this subcommittee.

The second will be a technical committee consisting of representatives from the Industrial Works Department and pollution control agencies. The panel will monitor information and inspect factories to ensure they follow environmental protection requirements.

Moreover, the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand will set up a fund categorised into two types. One will be managed by local communities, and the other by the private and public sector at the provincial level. The fund will be managed in the form of a foundation.

Yesterday, Kosit visited 25 communities in the area to inspect factories outside the industrial estate and found that the waterway at Klong Ta Kuen, connecting to the sea, was red because of pollution.

Kosit said he had ordered officials to find out the cause of waterway's colour within 10 days.

The Industry Ministry recently ordered two factories shut down - Thai Copper and a flour plant - because they discharged toxic waste.

Rachada Singalaliga, director-general of the Industrial Works Department, said the agency had now inspected every factory and if any are found to discharge pollutants above the control level, they will be ordered to close down.

An official who asked not to be named said he believed the Klong Ta Kuen waterway's red colour was caused by waste discharged from a tanning factory, rather than a power plant which was set up less than a year ago.

"The waterway has turned red for more than a year," said the source.

Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul

The Nation

MAP TA PHUT, RAYONG