Govt regulation on Map Ta Phut confuses many

It was recently reported that businesses in Map Ta Phut were planning to conduct their own assessments without waiting for a resolution from the fourparty panel, chaired by former prime minister Anand Panyarachun, and the final verdict from the Administrative Court.

According to the recently announced regulation, an environmental impact assessment (EIA) will be conducted next month on projects that affect communities, environment, natural resources and health, before the report is commented upon by an independent agency.

However, Suthi said the process of approving the EIA as well as the legislative status of the independent organisation that will comment on the report was still unclear.

Civic groups, meanwhile, are planning to ask the Constitution Court whether or not this regulation goes against the Constitution's Article 67 (2).

"If the court says yes, it means that the investments in Map Ta Phut will become zero," he said. "It would be better for industrial sectors if they could delay their investments until the fourparty panel comes up with a final resolution."

Meanwhile, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti said the new regulation complies with Constitution as the independent organisation would comprise of representatives from environmental and health organisations as well as educational institution. The representatives would have to first register with the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Polity and Planning and will then be given 45 days to study the report, before relevant agencies can decide on whether or not to give a green light to the projects.

He added that the regulation would be revised later if people see problems in it.

Meanwhile, Bandit Pattaweekongka of the Federation of Thai Industries said the private sector should review its investment plans and see if they should continue putting more money in Map Ta Phut regardless of whether or not the government's regulation on environmental problems becomes clear.

He also advised the private sector to come up with another plan on handling accidents caused by the unclear government's regulation if they continue to invest.