Another Map Ta Phut witness dies

Suthi Atchasai, a coordinator of the Eastern People's Network, said Surin Khomhong, a 59-year-old woman residing in Tambon Mapkha of Nikhom Pattana district, was living proof of the destructive force of pollution in the network's petition for the Central Administrative Court to freeze the 76 projects.

She died from an exfoliative skin disorder.

The network will host her funeral today, he said.

The other deceased witness was Sukdee Pattarajanyangkun, who succumbed to cancer.

Suthi urged the government, agencies and Map Ta Put Industrial Estate authorities to take steps to prevent further incidents in the pollution-control zone and speedily tackle the pollution problems.

The Stop Global Warming Association and 47 villagers from Rayong earlier submitted a pollution complaint to the Central Adminis-trative Court, which in September ordered a temporary halt to all 76 projects annexed to the court filing.

The project developers, chiefly the PTT Group and the Siam Cement Group, which have 25 and 20 projects, respectively, later appealed the injunction to the Supreme Administrative Court.

The court's decision today will tell if these projects can be restarted. Banks are worried a prolonged suspension will increase their non-performing loans, as half of the Bt400-billion investment is funded by loans.

For a long-term solution, the Cabinet last week approved the establishment of a four-party committee to address the issues. The committee will visit Map Ta Phut tomorrow.

The panel will soon hold a meeting to study the demands from stakeholders and offer suggestions to the government in dealing with the Map Ta Put situation and ensuring all parties comply with Article 67 (2) of the Constitution, he said.

That article stipulates any project that may affect the environment, natural resources or health of a community will not be implemented without environmental- and health-impact assessments of the people and community. It must also be open to public opinion and independent bodies.