Govt appeals Map Ta Phut ruling

Authorities hope the appeal will communicate to investors their sincerity in facilitating investment. The appeal was filed with the Supreme Administrative Court and sought a reversal of the lower court's injunction.

Prasartchai Tontapanish, director-general of the OAG's Administrative Litigation Department, said the government had no legal obligation to suspend the projects, because under the Constitution it made the rules.

He insisted government agencies had done their best to ensure fairness to all and said it was always possible that their actions might run counter to public opinion.

Regarding non-governmental organisations' accusations of a "lack of humanity" on the part of the administration, Prasartchai said that was their opinion and that if the clash escalated, legal amendments would be the answer.

The filing was made in collaboration with the Industry Ministry, which had earlier planned to file the appeal next Monday. The ministry changed its mind for fear of clashing with protesters. Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij yesterday said during a recent meeting with investors from the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg that investment in Map Ta Phut neither violated the Constitution nor caused a serious environmental impact.

"A definition of 'serious impact' must be formulated, so that investment can resume," he said.

Former deputy prime minister MR Pridiyathorn Devakula said the court case served as a lesson to the government after the problem had been ignored by previous administrations. -