Petition 'bad for investor confidence, communities'

Payungsak Chartsuthipol, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, yesterday said the lawsuit would damage investor confidence in the short term, as it would result in continued industrial uncertainty over flood-prevention measures.

He called on activists to consider reasonably the need for barrier development. Higher walls would protect not only industrial estates, but also the local communities, besides which they would secure employment for people in the areas.

“If the industrial estates were to be flooded again, it would have an impact not only for the plants in the estates, but also for the communities, since people would be unable to do any activities and trading would be affected,” said Payungsak.

Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, chairperson of Bangkadi Industrial Park, one of the estates inundated late last year, said the construction of a dyke was necessary. 

The park has asked for comments from villagers living nearby, and also has a plan to help those residents, she said. “The government does not guarantee to us that there will be no further flooding, while the flood-prevention plan remains clear. So, we have to do everything to protect our industrial park.” 

Kobkarn added that only 30 per cent of the flood-hit factories in Bangkadi Industrial Park had resumed operations. 

Kajornsak Mahakunwan, adviser of Rojana Industrial Park, said that contrary to the claim by the Stop Global Warming Association, which yesterday filed a lawsuit against seven state agencies concerning plans for the industrial estates to proceed with flood-barrier construction, local villagers near its park had not complained about the impact that a dyke would have on them. 

In fact, they have asked the park to accelerate construction, he said, adding that it has also had good support from villagers. 

“We’re confident that we can explain this fact to the Central Administrative Court,” he said.