Egat power plants opposed

In Thap Sakae district of Prachuap Khiri Khan, an activist described Egat's announcement that it would build a solarpowered plant with a small capacity of 5MW on a 4,142rai site as suspicious. Sureerat Taechootrakool even accused Egat of using the solarpowered project as a front to build a coalfired power plant, a plan that has already faced opposition from locals.

Jintana Kaewkhao, an activist campaigning against the proposed construction of a coalfired Egat power plant in Ban Krood beach in the province's Bang Saphan district, said Egat had been conducting an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for largescale projects, while the solarpowered plant, to be built on a 250rai plot within the larger project site, would require a different EIA.

She said her group had demanded that Egat produce a written statement promising never to build a coalfired plant in Prachuap Khiri Khan. Egat has not replied to villagers' proposals that it support the community by building schools, a solarcell study centre and windpowered plants.

Sureerat said a query had been sent to Egat asking how it would preserve the beach and local habitats where sea turtles lay their eggs.

In Mueang district in the central province of Chachoengsao, meanwhile, around 200 residents yesterday staged a rally to repeat their calls for the scrapping of a coalfired power plant, which they said could harm their way of life and their health through toxic emissions and the consumption of fresh water needed for farming.

Rally leader Prajak Kleejinda said a complaint against the plant was accepted by the Central Administrative Court, and that testimony from villagers would be heard at a courthouse in Rayong province starting tomorrow(Sept 13), after documentary evidence was scrutinised by the judges.