Call to ban drilling for oil near Samui, Pha Ngan

A network of environmentalists and academics demanded Tuesday that the government abandon any exploration for oil and gas off the famous resort islands of Samui, Pha Ngan and Tao.

"We do not agree with such a plan. We will escalate our movement if the government doesn't listen to us," said Banjong Nasae, chairman of the Thai Sea Watch Association, which includes the Prince of Songkla University's Surat Thani Campus and several non-government organisations.

The Energy Ministry is reportedly preparing to allow three firms, including PTTEP and CEC, to explore for and produce petroleum near the islands in the Gulf of Thailand.

The Nation