Not all water-project hearings to feature experts

Apichart Anukularmphai, an adviser to the WFMC’s sub-committee on project appraisal, said time constraints might make it difficult for academics to attend all the events, but officials would ensure they did attend the hearings in the most sensitive provinces, such as Pathum Thani, Kanchanaburi, Samut Songkhram and Samut Sakhon.
Apichart said the public hearings were just the first step in a process that would also involve the announcement of design procedures, intensive environmental impact studies and public forums. He said most people were worried about land expropriation, but the newly issued law on land reform should enable them to find solutions for each project and ensure appropriate compensation for affected people.