June 15, 2000

Interior Minister Banyat Bantadtan yesterday dismissed a proposal by the committee charged with resolving the Pak Moon dam crisis to open all the dam’s spillways until the end of August.

But Mr Banyat, who appointed the panel, did agree to appoint a joint committee to manage the controversial structure, committee chairman Banthorn On-dam said.

After a meeting yesterday at the Interior Ministry, Mr Banthorn said the joint panel would be represented by all parties concerned and have the final say on how the dam is run.

Experts and academics approved by both sides would also be included on the committee, he said.

“We need a working mechanism to bring the problem to an end,” Mr Banthorn said, adding that this process was aimed at encouraging people to participate in state development projects. This would be the first time that local people had a say in dam management.

Mr Banthorn was not discouraged by the spillway rejection and said the joint committee represented a major step in the right direction.

Each side needed to sacrifice a little for the greater good, he said.

The government’s decision was welcomed by the Electricity Generating Authority. Bunpot Sangkeo, director of Egat’s power system planning, said the panel would eventually help the Moon river become a major source of power generation and fisheries.

Assembly of the Poor adviser Wanida Tantiwittayapitak, who was not available for comment, did not expect any significant changes in the final draft report by the World Commission on Dams, which criticised the assembly for treating its dam report as the final version.

“The report was drafted by prominent experts. What will be added to the final report will be the opinions of Egat members and affected villagers,” she said.