Plodprasop run out of hearing

Dozens of banners protesting a hearing on the government’s Bt350-billion water and flood-management scheme were set up around the city sports gymnasium, the venue for the public event.
The hearing was organised by the PM’s Office. Over 4,000 people attended to voice their concerns and opinions toward the mammoth water and flood project.
As Plodprasop arrived, about 200 villagers opposing the water and flood scheme blew whistles to drive him out.
Plodprasop pointed at the protesters and used his personal whistle to blow back at them before entering the gymnasium and attending the public hearing.
Another protesters’ group had presented with him a bundle of grass.
“If you’re thinking like this, just eat grass not rice,” a villager shouted at him.
However, after Plodprasop had been at the event for five minutes, he left the stadium as a group of shouting and whistling protesters complained about the government’s bid to push the project.
“I believe the government is trying to distort the information on the project, and is not telling us the truth,” Phichit Provincial Administration Organisation chief Chartchai Jiamsripong, who led a group of protesters, said.
According to Plodprasop, Phichit and other provinces – such as Phitsanulok, Sukhothai and Nakhon Sawan – face floods every year. To prevent flood problems, the government plans to invest Bt8 billion to build a huge water-retention area to keep floodwater in Phichit.
But Chartchai said local residents would not let the government go ahead with its plan to build such water-retention areas in Phichit.
Plodprasop claimed the government would push forward with its plans to build water and flood-management schemes to prevent floods.
He believed political motivation lay behind a group of protesters who used whistles to drive him out.
“I could not accept any rude words that were being used in complaining to me. I also have my own whistle to fight against the demonstrators,” he said.