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BKK POST: January 22, 1998: GAS PIP
- Subject: BKK POST: January 22, 1998: GAS PIP
- From: suriya@xxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 22 Jan 1998 03:41:00
January 22, 1998
GAS PIPELINE
Bulldozers getting
closer to blockade
Chakrit Ridmontri
The confrontation between conservationists and gas pipeline
construction workers remained tense yesterday as bulldozers
were about to reach the groups' blockade set up to obstruct the
pipeline laying.
Bandit Kraiwichit, a member of the conservation group, said the
construction workers have begun clearing bamboo clumps and
shrubs at the pipeline's kilometre 28 section which is only a
kilometre from the group's camp.
The protesters laid across the ditch prepared for laying the
pipeline and blocked the bulldozers which were uprooting trees,
said Mr Bandit.
"We have to stop the workers and bulldozers because there are
plenty of bamboo and bananas which are food sources for
elephants," he said, adding the action was taken in a peaceful
manner.
In Bangkok, a coalition of the conservation groups announced
they would approach Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai tomorrow
to ask him to look into the case immediately.
They said they would also ask Interior Minister Sanan
Kachornprasart to calm down pipeline supporters who have
threatened to counter-protest against the groups in Kanchanaburi
tomorrow, said Suwit Watnuu, deputy chairman of the
Campaign for Popular Democracy.
Mr Suwit said the premier had to act quickly before the
confrontation becomes uncontrollable.
Songkiert Tansamrit, director of PTT's public relation
department, said the PTT was very concerned about the
environmental impact resulting from the pipeline laying.
He said only 2,900 trees with circumferences larger than 80
centimetres would be cut to make way for the pipeline section
that passes through lush forests totalling 50 kilometres.
Moreover, up to 3,600 smaller trees have been relocated to be
replanted.
He denied that wild animals were found along the construction
site in the forest as claimed by conservation groups. If the area is
a habitat of the beasts, the pipeline laying would not irritate the
animals as it would take only three to four months, he said.
The confrontation between the PTT and conservation groups
began when the project was made public two years ago. The
PTT signed a gas deal contract with the gas seller consortium
comprising oil firm Unocal of USA, Total of France, PTTEP Ltd
which is an affiliate of the PTT and the Myanmar Oil and Gas
Enterprise.
The consortium won concessions from the Burmese government
to drill gas from the Yadana and Yetagun fields in the Andaman
Sea. The 30-year contract will begin on July 1 which is the gas
delivery date.
The PTT has to finish its 260km pipeline section from the border
of Thailand and Malaysia at I-tong village to a gas power plant in
Ratchaburi within the gas delivery date. Failure to do so will
cause the enterprise to be liable to a daily fine of 40 million baht.
But legal experts of the groups argued that the PTT could not
pay the fine if the project is halted because of an order from the
prime minister.
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Last Modified: Thu, Jan 22, 1998