Locals fight waste-management project
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RESIDENTS in Phitsanulok province launched a protest yesterday against the construction of two waste-management plants, saying not only would they contaminate the environment, they were also being built on a historic temple site.
Hundreds of people from eight villages near the project gathered at King Naresuan Military Base to voice their concerns, and handed a petition with 400 signatures to the 4th Infantry Division’s Commander Maj-General Nopporn Ruengchan.
The waste-management plants are to be built on the Sam Wihan public land in Phitsanulok’s Muang district, Tambon Samorkae.
The protesters said the plants would pollute the air and water nearby, adding that the four public hearings were only held to provide an explanation.
Maj-General Nopporn later assigned Cavalry Squadron Commanding Officer Lieutenant Thanakrit Sukkerd to do a survey on the site and come up with aerial maps of the area related to the eight villages.
Meanwhile, Phitsanulok deputy governor Chatchai Sanguanphan and archaeology expert Rattiya Chaiyawong inspected the |proposed construction area and said permission will be sought from the Fine Arts Department to conduct an archaeological survey of the area.
“If it is found to be a historic site, then the factories cannot be built,” she added.
The Bt16-million waste-management project is expected to produce fuel and fertiliser and is funded by the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry.
