Burmese power plant raises Ranong alarm

Sucheep Patthong of the People’s Network of Ranong said  that many people were worried about pollution from the power plant drifting to Ranong, affecting people’s health and livelihoods – especially when the southwest monsoon was blowing from the Andaman Sea to Ranong. 

Sonchai Ouitekkheng, president of the Ranong Tourist Business Association, said he had no details about this alleged concession yet, but if it were true it would greatly affect the province’s tourism. He said such coalpowered plants could cause pollution and harm the health of people in nearby communities.

Ranong public health official Dr Thongchai Kiratihattayakorn said he too had no details about the plans, but if they were true he was afraid of coal dust that could cover a radius of several kilometres. His office would monitor developments to keep the public informed and prepared to protect themselves from coal dust.

Ranong Chamber of Commerce member Nareumol Khoraphum said she had visited Burma, where authorities had taken her to visit the power plant in Koh Song. From what she saw, she believed it had a credible safety standard. As a result, people need not worry, because the Burmese government wouldn’t let the plant affect the environment or a neighbouring country, she said.

Koh Song, or Kawthaung in Burmese, is on the southern tip of Burma near Ranong town. In the British colonial era it was known as Victoria Point.