Assist Thai's Campaigning against t

[tacdb@xxxxxxxxxx]

A plea to help save conservationist's lives 
in the case against the Yadana gas pipeline
and Update of 23/1/98

	The controversial Yadana gas pipeline project has caused much suffering
to both the Thais and Burmese minorities along the border, as well as
rendered much destruction to the bountiful forested area. The
construction of this 649 kilometers long to bring natural gas from the
Moutaban Bay, off-shore of Burma , has been almost completed both of the
sections in Burma and Thailand. However, due to opposition of
environmental groups and human rights groups in Thailand, as well as
from international organizations, the construction of the section that
will destroy a large part of a National Park in Thailand to pave a road
of 8.4 Kms with 20 meters wide has been delayed since last 21 Dec., when
50 activists and locals camped out there to guard the forest.
	The conservation groups asked the government and the Petroleum
Authority of Thailand to review the projects for both the environmental
and human rights reasons. 
First, researches have confirmed that the forest is so important to the
surrounding environment. Many rare animals have been found living in the
area including wild elephants, smallest bats, and a special kind of
crab. Second, the project has been known to involve gross human rights
abuse by the SLORC against the minorities living along the pipeline
route, who have been forced to be labour in the project. Moreover, the
pipeline was intentionally routed to pass to through strongholds of the
minorities as the Burmese troops expected that the Thai officials will
help them in the ethnic cleansing operation since the project is a joint
venture between the Thai and Burmese authorities. Most importantly, the
huge revenue from selling natural gas from the biggest sources ever
found in Burma, will eventually be used to buy arms to strengthen
SLORC's  armies which have categorically prevented democracy from taking
place in Burma. 
	It was reported today (21 Jan.98) that the delay of the construction of
the pipeline in Thailand caused by the blockade of the conservationists
has prompted the officers to "hire" and mobilize villagers from the area
and elsewhere to confront with the campers. Once violence breaks out,
some 200 security officers deployed in the area can justifiably
intervened and arrested the campers. Moreover, it was reported that they
are masterminding the kidnap of two prominent leaders of the opposition
group, namely, Ms. Bhinand Jotiroseranee, and Mr. Pibhop Dhongchai.
Several years ago a Thai worker union's leader, Mr. Thanong Bo-arn,
disappeared under the time the country was ruled over by a military
regime. Sources confirmed that he was killed by the officials to
suppress the worker movements.

Environmentalists camping out in the Huay Kae Yong area where the
Thai-Burmese gas pipeline is being built are under threat from the
Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) (See adjoining article).  A
warning has been received by activists in Thailand that the PTT may use
violence to force the closure of the protest camp on January 21 or 22. 
The environmentalists are determined to stay where they are and to
continue to use non-violence. Their camp is situated at KM27 and in the
warning received  the use of violence and the force of villagers are
being used to threaten those in the camp.  Dialogue is currrently
underway between
representatives of the Prime Minsters office and conservationists
regarding the threats against those in the camps.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Immediately fax PTT and make it clear that the international community
is watching what happens to those in the camps.  This is an
international issue in that PTT  and Unocal are involved in this project
together. Any violence used against them will be strongly  condemned by
the international community. That this is not Burma but Thailand and any
kind of violence used on innocent people will hurt the image of Thailand
and is not acceptable.

Fax the Prime Minister's office and state your concerns of the safety to
those in the camps and that should any violence occur to those in the
camps all companies will be held responsible and will be severely
condemned by the international community which includes the
international campaigns focussed on the oil and gas industry in Burma. 
Under the new
Thai constitution the people of Thailand have the  right to voice
opposition and to use violence against them will not only damage
Thailand's image abroad but hurt the "Amazing Thailand" tourism
promotion. 

Fax Unocal both in the US and in Thailand and let them know that if
anything happens to those in the blockade they will be held just as
responsible as PTT.  Urge restraint in all faxes and push for dialogue. 

CONTACTS:

PTT:  MR. PALA SOOKAWESS (GOVERNOR)
          MR. PITI YAMPRASERT. (He is responsible for this project)
Fax # +66 2 5374389

PRIME MINISTER OF THAILAND'S OFFICE:
Fax: +66 2 2801443

Unocal Thailand
VP of Planning, Patrick Murphy
Fax: +66-2-545-5554

Unocal Headquarters, El Segundo, California
CEO, Roger Beach
Fax: 310-726-7802

	Please write along the line of this information and mail/fax it to 
1.  The Prime Minister of Thailand, Bangkok, Fax +662-2801443, 2812536,
2825131
2.  The Governor of Petroleum Authority of Thailand, Vibavadi-Rungsit
Road, Bangkok 10900, fax +662-5373498-9
	, and ask them not to use violence against the peaceful protest, and
suspended the pipeline project due to the above reasons. 

	Update of the Yadana Pipeline Protest as of 23/1/98   12:01

	I just received news from the local sources that the Kanchanaburi
governor is now very keen on using military forces to crush down the
campers. The situation is somewhat leading to violence. Anyhow, I have
called Dr.Chaiwat Satha-anand of Thammasart University, who is a leading
social critic and was my teacher last night. He has a good number of
connections with the government people. I asked him to talk to them, and
he did last night, that the government should pledge of not using
forces. He told me the governmental ranking officials he talked to
confirmed that they will not use forces. Anyway, the local
administrations many times just ignore the word by the ministers. 	
However, the repercussion of the Bangna event in which many workers who
demanded the hike of their yearly bonus were beaten up severely was not
so good to the government's image. They might seriously think before
using any violence.
	Therefore, I hope that the government will keep their word. Today,
several people including Khun Pibhop Dhongchai and his wife, the leaders
of the protesting group, and a few foreigners will go to Kanchanaburi
and to the camping site. 
	We still think that the presence of representatives from international
agencies concerning HR, environment, et al, is still needed to ensure
that the local authorities will not resort to the use of violence. Will
keep you informed.
	Just this late morning, a group of activists went to meet the Minister
of Interior and submit an open letter to ask him to see that no violence
is used against the protesters, it is the very right of people under the
new constitution to voice their opposing opinions freely.

The Kalayanamitra Council
60/2 Tiwanond 34, Muang, Nonthaburi 11000, fax 5803711 email :
pipob@xxxxxxxxxx


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Thai Action Committee for Democracy in Burma (TACDB)
328 Phayathai Road
Rajthevee
Bangkok 10400
THAILAND
tel/fax: (+662) 216 4463
email: tacdb@xxxxxxxxxx
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