Naming Map Ta Phut control zone urged

Prior to the Eastern Seaboard Development Committee meeting this morning, NHC secretarygeneral Ampol Jindawattana said yesterday his office had outlined the industrial estate's impact environment and other factors to the Cabinet.

Cabinet then approved: the publication of an industrial health impact assessment, especially in Map Ta Phut and Ban Chang district, and an education campaign for local people to protect themselves from pollution; the formulation of plans and regulations for industrial disaster prevention and mitigation; and NHC's considered support for a central mechanism for development and strengthening of the public sector.

Cabinet also assigned the Eastern Seaboard Development Committee to consider two other NHC proposals: a call for the government to review Rayong's development through a committee of stakeholders - and the postponement of more industrial plant construction in Map Ta Phut and Ban Chang.

Ampol reasoned Cabinet was concerned about the factory construction postponement because former deputy prime minister Pridiyathorn Devakul, in his capacity as Rak Muang Thai Group chief, claimed it would affect investment in 60 projects worth Bt400,000 million.

 He said the NHC didn't want the projects to stop - but to be postponed - until the operation guideline according to the Constitution's Article 67 was complete. Economic problems came from many factors and one should look at the big picture and consider the local people's quality of life.

Director of the Health Impact Assessment (HIA) coordination centre, Decharut Sukkumnoed, said the government should proceed according to Article 67, requiring an impact assessment on environment quality and the community's health.

He also urged the government to arrange - before any implementation - hearings from local people, all stakeholders and independent organisations on environment and health.

Decharut said his talks with major investors in Rayong had shown they weren't worried about the procedures, which currently remained unclear and might cause problems later. He said the Department of Industrial Works has already prepared the criteria for factory establishment.