Strict control measures for Map Ta Phut

Map Ta Phut residents rejoice yesterday after a court ordered their hometown to be declared a pollutioncontrol zone. Factories have blossomed in nearby industrial estates, causing locals to complain of failing health.

The Rayong Administrative Court yesterday declared the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate and its environs in this eastern province a pollution control area, requiring stricter enforcement of environmental measures and toxic control solutions.

Sutthi Atchasai, a coordinator for villagers living in areas near the estate, said the ruling in his group's favour was the first step in a series of successes to come.

He said his group would soon decide whether to file civil and criminal lawsuits against members of the National Environment Board.

The ruling covers the entire Map Ta Phut municipality, include tambons Thab Ma, Nern Phra and Map Kha in Muang district and the entire Ban Chang district.

Full imposition of pollutioncontrol measures must take place within 60 days.

The judges said they were convinced by several official reports citing excessive toxic leaks and wastes in wastewater and wastes produced by factories in the estate and detected in surrounding areas - including 20 types of extremely cancerous toxic fumes.

A health study also found that the incidence of cancers and leukaemia among the villagers was five times higher than the national rate. Another study showed that residents were also experiencing genetic defects.

Another report on industrial wastes released two years ago discovered that heavy metals in the areas were accumulating beyond safety standards.

Like activists and villagers in the crowded courtroom, a group of villagers screamed for joy upon hearing yesterday's decision from television sets they were monitoring.

Sutthi said a petition would be soon filed with the administrative court against a landfill belonging to an expansion project of a chemical plant off a beach in the estate, which villagers suspected was being carried out in violation of the law.

Along with other routine issues, the National Environment Board is expected to discuss preventive measures as a result of the court ruling in about two weeks as an urgent matter. The board's new chairman is Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.