Bangkok Post
February 12, 2003

Villagers fear farm losses, subsidence.

Environment Minister Praphat Panyachartrak has asked the Thailand Environment Institute to head up another team to study the ecological impacts of the proposed Klong Dan wastewater treatment project.

“The existing committee, appointed to look into the project’s feasibility, alone cannot analyse these [environmental issues]. That calls for experts,” Mr Praphat said.

The new team, comprising academics and experts from the Environmental Engineering Association of Thailand, would do a complete study covering all scenarios, from not building the plant to going ahead full-steam.

The 2.3-billion baht project, initiated in 1995, has been delayed by strong opposition in tambon Klong Dan, Samut Prakan. Villagers fear treated water from the plant will
reduce salinity in sea water, harming their mussel farms.
The site is also on soft ground, raising fears of subsidence.

Mr Praphat said he was aware of these reports, but said they were “initial studies” which required more detailed research.

Three investigative committees were set up last month to look into the project.

The first committee is looking into corruption allegations, the second at the project contract and the third its feasibility.