Prayut considers deploying mediator to end the stand-off

Major entrepreneurs in Krabi believe the project is necessary to accommodate the expected business and economic growth in the region, but opponents are worried the planned plant will damage the local environment as well as local way of life. 

“The Energy Ministry has the duty to explain the project to the people, including those who disagree. But if they can’t talk, I will find a neutral figure for mediation,” Prayut said. He added that he had received reports that the Energy Ministry had tried to communicate with the projects’ opponents but in vain.

Energy Ministry permanent secretary Kurujit Nakhonthap said in a statement yesterday that the coal-fired power plant would not adversely affect the livelihood of the locals or the environment and tourism industry of the southern province.

He explained that the project would be implemented as per environmental laws. 

“The clean-coal power plant, to replace an old lignite-fired power plant, is to ensure sufficient power supply under the Power Development Plan 2015, particularly for the South,” he said. 

He insisted that Thailand needed to diversify its electricity-generating fuels, as about 70 per cent of electricity was being generated from natural gas. If the power plant were delayed indefinitely as demanded by the opponents, Thailand would need to import more natural gas, and that would push up power tariffs and affect all sections of Thai society.

In a bid to ease the opposition to the coal-fired power plant in Krabi, he said the ministry was ready to discuss with the protesters their three demands: to cancel the environmental impact assessment report, to postpone the August 5 bid submission, and to form a joint committee.

Lately, many groups of opponents have become active. Some have been staging a hunger strike while some have threatened lawsuits. Yesterday, some also marched around Government House. 

Hotel operators in the Southern region, so far, have expressed support for the power plant on grounds that it could prevent energy shortages, particularly during the high season.

Tunyaratt Achariyachai, vice president of Kata Group Resorts, one of most famous hotel groups in Phuket, said all major cities in the region would need more electricity because of the increase in the number of investment projects and business expansion.

Many more hotels and resorts are being developed in key tourist destinations along the Andaman coast, particularly in Phuket and Krabi, as well as Samui in the Gulf of Thailand.

“Existing hotels have been facing shortages of electricity for years, especially during the peak season. Samui and Phuket, for instance, have faced energy crises, so we don’t want to see that again,” Tunyaratt said.

According to Tunyaratt, who served as senator from 2008-14, a lot of foreign tourists are expected to visit Phuket, Krabi and Samui this year and over the next five years. That calls for building up reserves of energy in advance, she said.

“Many hotels in the Southern region have called for more power plants. But when this demand draws opposition from others, we will need to talk and explore solutions together,” she said. 

Prasitchai Noonual, a prominent member of the Andaman Protection Network, yesterday said seven soldiers had tried to intimidate his mother in Phatthalung province over his role in the movement against the power plant. 

“They came to my mother’s house in the morning and warned her that she seriously needed to stop me from protesting,” Prasitchai said at a press conference. 

Also at the press conference was Panthep Puapongpan, who represents the People’s Network for Thailand’s Energy Reform. 

“We demand that the government organise a forum for all sides to present their opinions on the project, and this forum should be broadcast live nationwide,” Panthep said.

Prasitchai said that if officials had solid information to counter his group’s concerns, they should present it clearly. 

“Don’t try to intimidate us,” he said.