Ambitious plans for former war zone's protected parkland on Thai-Lao-Cambodian border start to hit obstacles
An ambitious tourism plan to have a golf course in the former war zone at the junction of the Cambodian, Lao and Thai borders is in limbo as obstacles emerge from several directions.
Local conservationists in the Northeast strongly oppose the project as the Thai land is situated in a 1A-grade national-park watershed area.
Areas of 1A watershed are preserved for use only as sources of water and forestry resources, with no construction allowed.
A golf course is the highlight of the Emerald Triangle Development Project, driven by the three countries, that aims to transform the former war zone into a tourist attraction.
"The golf course is absolutely contradictory to watershed and massive tourism would damage wildlife," said the secretary-general of E-san Forestry Network, Pramote Ponpinyo.
The project was initiated by business interests without the participation of local residents, he said.
Ubon Ratchathani Senator Niran Pitakwatchara said: "Tourism in the border junction area is fine, but it should be reserved only for eco-tourism. Why do we have to build a golf course in a forest reserve area?
"We have too many golf courses. How can local residents benefit from such a project based purely on business interests? We don't want to see local people merely employed as caddies at a golf course."
The target location for the golf course is part of Phu Chong Na Yoi National Park in Nam Yuen district of Ubon Ratchathani.
In accordance with forestry laws, no construction is allowed in any national park without Cabinet permission, said Ubon Ratchathani provincial forestry officer Somchet Navawatna.
Construction of the golf course, if it gets approval from the Cabinet, also requires impact assessments to study possible environmental damage, he said.
Furthermore, the area is difficult to enter due to poor road conditions and the risk of anti-personnel land mines, he said.
The Emerald Triangle area is where the now-defunct Khmer Rouge fought against the then-Vietnamese-backed Hun Sen government. Countless anti-personal landmines were laid in the war between 1980 and 1990, and it is uncertain when they can be completely cleared.
Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai, a project co-ordinator along with his counterparts in Laos and Cambodia, said landmines were the biggest obstacle.
"Military experts said it would take a long time to clean them out but I don't know if they have technology to speed up the clearance," he said.
PM's Office minister Somsak Thapsuthin saw no difficulty, and said the national park had no perfect forest as believed by conservationists.
"It doesn't even have any big trees there," he said.
"No problem, if Thai people don't want to give this piece of land, Cambodia and Laos are ready to offer their respective portions,'' he added.
The project would bring visitors to the tourism industry of Isaan and boost good relations with neighbouring countries, he said.
A source from the
Tourism Authority of Thailand told The Nation that besides a golf course, the government also planned to build more facilities to attract tourists to visit the Thai-Laos-Cambodia cross-border "special tourism zone".
Under the project, each government has to maximise tourism potential in the area and will benefit in proportion to its contribution.
For Thailand, the golf course is just one highlight, and the government also plans to build an amusement park, resorts, health-centres, a helipad and a zoo, the source said.
Meanwhile, a conference centre, war museum, airport and adventure tourism area, have been designed to be constructed in Laos.
In Cambodia, a sports centre, amusement park, botanical garden and open zoo will be constructed. The Cambodian government also plans to improve its historical tourist attractions, such as Preah Vihear temple.
All three governments are responsible for building roads to link tourist attractions in their countries.
The three countries' tourism ministers are scheduled to talk in detail about the project today when they join a concert to promote the project in Ubon Ratchathani.
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