Hundreds of protesters yesterday surrounded Udon Thani Rajabhat University president Charoon Thavornchak and threw betel juice at him to express their opposition to a potash-mining project in the northeastern province.

They also hurled water bottles and stones at people who showed up for a forum chaired by Charoon and called by the Udon Thani provincial authority to gather local people's opinions on the project. The forum was eventually cancelled.

Yesterday was the third and last day for Charoon's panel to explain what the potash-mining project was about, and how it would benefit or affect local people. The panel was also tasked with gathering local opinions that will be forwarded to the relevant parties.

The protesters said they believed Charoon favoured the project. Betel juice was also hurled at staff who tried to rescue Charoon from the big crowd of protesters.

The turmoil took place at around 9.30am just after Charoon arrived at the Ban Huai Sam Pard School in Prachak Silapakhom sub-district to begin the forum.

Despite the mess, Charoon said he would not blame the environmentalists. "They just want to express their opinion," he said.

Charoon strongly denied that he had a vested interest in the mining project.

"I volunteered for this job just because I don't want to see divi-

sion among local people. I want

to explain about the project and

listen to people's opinions," he

said, adding that he would con-

tinue as the panel's chairman.

An informed source said many local people had been hired to sit in the forums over the past two days as "paid participants". They raised questions in a way that would persuade others to see only the good points of the project.

Environmentalists refused to take part in the forum, saying they had already submitted a letter asking Charoon not to start the forum to gather public opinions.

The Primary Industries and Mines Department has already permitted a private operator to start potash mining in Udon Thani.

However, the licence for its operations has yet to be granted due to local opposition.

The Nation

Udon Thani