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 Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said after chairing the meeting that given the pollution problems and the current situation, it is the right time for the designation.

 "The announcement is a major mechanism to set environmental standards and raise public participation," he told reporters.

 However, the board resolved that it would appeal against the court's ruling on the negligence of the National Environment Board and related agencies.

 "They have done their jobs and not neglected the problems. This appeal would have nothing to do with the designation of Map Ta Phut as pollution-control area," he said.

 The decision was against what the private sector has been expecting. Earlier, private operators threatened to sue the board if it did not appeal against the court's ruling which could put stumbling blocks to future petrochemical business expansion.