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BKK POST: January 18, 1998:GAS PIPE
- Subject: BKK POST: January 18, 1998:GAS PIPE
- From: suriya@xxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 19 Jan 1998 15:50:00
January 18, 1998
GAS PIPELINE PROJECT / CONFRONTATION IN
FOREST
Protesters say
leader 'faces
kidnap threat'
PTT staff abandon tree-cutting duties
Chakrit Ridmontri
Thom Pha Phum, Kanchanaburi
The Kanchanaburi Conservation Group claimed yesterday that
its core leader, who is preventing the cutting of trees on part of
the gas pipeline route, is facing the threat of being kidnapped.
Environmentalists said quarrels between the group and the
Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) began a few days ago
when group members persuaded PTT employees, who live in the
area, not to cut large trees on Khao Ta Kua mountain.
As a result PTT's officials leading the tree-cutting team were
angry, said Ratchanee Dhongchai, a group leader.
"The employees said they were also unhappy to cut trees in their
hometown. So they agreed to stop," she said.
Mrs Ratchanee said supporters of the project are plotting to
kidnap leader Phinant Chotirosseranee who is camping on the
disputed area with a few others.
"According to our sources, Mrs Phinant is the target because she
has been outstanding in her protests against the project. If she
disappears the supporters believe resistance will die down," she
said.
The disputed area is at pipeline marker kilometre 22, on Khao
Ta Kua peak, which is covered with big trees.
Trees measuring more than 80 centimetres in diameter have been
marked for cutting by the Forestry Department. Others have
already been felled.
An army section sent to the disputed area has camped about one
hundred metres from the group's blockade.
PTT's officials were not available for comment about the alleged
kidnap threat yesterday.
The threat of confrontation began to intensify as the PTT work
on the 260km pipeline approached lush forest in Kanchanaburi's
Thom Pha Phum district.
The consortium working on the gas pipeline project includes
America's Unocal, Total of France, Myanmar Oil and Gas
Enterprise, and PTTEP Ltd, an affiliate of the PTT.
The PTT says the completion date is set for July 1. On that day
the PTT must finish the Thai section of the pipeline or face a daily
fine of 40 million baht.
However, legal experts with the groups say the contract allows
the PTT to delay completion if the government orders a
suspension of the project.
The group wants the project halted to allow the pipeline to be
rerouted away from forests.