The governor of Phrae has given local government offices and schools until Friday to complete the collection of signatures from people supporting the longdelayed Kaeng Sue Ten Dam project, a source said yesterday.
According to a letter sent to all schools by acting director of Phrae Education Area 1, Governor Somchai Hattayatanti has instructed all provincial government offices and schools to gather the names of those supporting the project so the governor can submit them to the government. The letter also urged schools to lobby for the dam among its teachers and students, have them sign in support as well as participate in a prodam rally on Friday morning in front of the city hall.
However, Sanyan Khamneung, an official of the "Living River Siam Project", along with other people against the dam project said the governor's action was against the country's reform policies, which aim to allow community participation in politics and resource management. In addition, they said, he was abusing his authority by supporting a project that benefits those in power and disregards people's opinions and environmental damage.
Sanyan said residents of Ban Sa Eiub - a village that will be adversely affected if this dam is built - will be holding a protest outside city hall today and on Friday, in the name of the Assembly of Poor, they will negotiate with the government.