Surayud visited the Rayong industrial estate yesterday amid concerns of potential investors after many plants in the area were found to cause pollution.

The PM said the new projects could proceed if the investors honoured their promise to reduce pollution.

Yesterday, PTT announced its plan to reduce pollution in Map Ta Phut and in Rayong province by 2010. Siam Cement Group also plans to invest Bt1.172 billion to reduce pollution in Map Ta Phut and in Rayong province this year.

Deputy Prime Minister and Industry Minister Kosit Panpiemras said more investment should lead to less pollution. This is because new investors would be required to implement pollution-control measures.

PTT president Prasert Bunsumpun said the company planned to invest Bt560 billion from this year to 2011, of which Bt130 billion would go to factories in Rayong province.

The projects are divided into three categories. Plan A consists of projects worth Bt20 billion that have already secured environmental approval. Plan A projects include the 6th unit of a gas separation plant.

Plan B consists of projects worth Bt50 billion for which PTT has already sought environmental approval. Most of these projects are in the petrochemicals sector.

The company has yet to seek environmental approval for Plan C projects, worth an estimated Bt50 billion. Most are refinery projects and the investment is aimed at achieving the Euro 4 standard.

As for the Bt10.62-billion investment to control pollution, Prasert said PTT would invest in projects to reduce nitrogen and sulphur dioxide, cutting residue waste by more than 1,700 tonnes within this year and reducing wastewater by more than 1 million cubic metres this year.

Kan Trakulhoon, president and CEO of Siam Cement Group, said that it planned to invest Bt1.172 billion to reduce pollution this year.  

Government regulations require factories to set aside at least 10 per cent of their industrial site as a green area but SCG plans to voluntarily increase the green area to 50 per cent.

Surayud said that he had gone to the industrial estate to listen to all parties. He praised Kosit for managing to control industrial pollution after the campaign kicked off in October last year.

The premier said that in the next three to four years, the campaign to control pollution should be a success. But that also depends on cooperation from the private and public sectors, as well as the local communities.

Siam Cement Group also presented another Bt10 million to the prime minister yesterday to promote the quality of living of Map Ta Phut residents after having recently contributed Bt10 million to establish the Healthy Rayong Fund Foundation. It had also donated funds and relief supplies worth Bt7.5 million to the Rayong provincial administration.

Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul

The Nation