Nine firms join hands to help out

Dissent peaked in 2011, when people in seven tambon in the district – Bang Rakam, Bo Phong, Pakjan, Mae La, Khlong Sakae, Bang Phrakhoo and Nakhon Luang municipality – voiced strong opposition to such activities. Khlong Sakae suffered the most, as contamination was found in both irrigation and tap water.

 

BAD REPUTATION IS BAD FOR COMPANY OPERATIONS

This marked the time when companies involved with the coal trade and coal use had to show responsibility for the environment and communities. 

Nine cement makers and coal importing companies last week launched a campaign called “Rak Choomchon” to push for standardised operations and the development of eco-friendly industry, and to seek to care for the quality of life of a community in order to ensure sustainable and mutual co-existence of business, community, society and environment.

The nine groups and firms are Thai Cement Manufacturers Association, Siam Cement Group, Siam City Cement, Asia Cement, Banpu, Asia Green Energy, Lanna Resources, Unique Mining Services and Premthai Energy.

“Our focus will be on the measures to deal with environmental impacts,” said Kajohndet Sangsuban, president of SCG Cement Building Materials. 

“The measures will deal with the quality of the environment both inside and outside factory areas and around the community. The quality must be better than what is required by law.”

As of 2011, Ayutthaya was home to 20 coal-fired mills and many piers for transporting coal from Indonesia to Bangkok via the two rivers. Much of the 5.6 million tonnes of coal sent here each year is processed and transported to cement factories in neighbouring Saraburi. 

The first mills opened 10 years ago and their number has increased and multiplied the discharge from their operations due to growing demand for processed coal. While dust is the key problem, contaminated water also causes trouble.

 

MONITORING AND MEASURES

Under their joint effort, air quality will be regularly monitored, along with noise level and soil and groundwater quality. 

Somyot Ruchirawat, deputy CEO of Banpu, said data would be analysed and solutions would be devised. “We will follow up and evaluate operations at the piers.” 

Above-law safety standards would also be implemented.

Nopadol Ramyarupa, managing director of Asia Cement, said social measures would be initiated to improve the quality of life of people in the communities.

The 5 Sor principles would be introduced in schools, while the nine firms will mobilise funds for temples. 

Vice governor Phakaphong Tavipatana welcomed the move, as the city has been suffering from dust for a long time. 

Narong Ngernsuwan, president of Pakjan Tambon Administration Organisation in Nakhon Luang district, said the district suffers badly from the dust problem. Children have developed allergies. While his village has a dust-measuring instrument, other villages may not.

In his village, the quality of water sources is checked especially during the rainy season, when dust seeps into groundwater, which is used for farming and tap water. 

The mills will open their doors for visits and inspection by officials and the public so that they can hear complaints and recommendations from all parties. 

“Through this, we aim to achieve sustainable coexistence between industry and the communities,” said Kantanit Sukontasap, vice president for communications at Siam City Cement.