BKK Post, March 9, 1998. GAS PIPEL

[suriya@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

March 9, 1998.  GAS PIPELINE PROJECT

              Sulak vows to keep
              on protesting

              Planning to file counter-lawsuit

              Well-known social critic Sulak Sivaraksa has vowed to
              continue his protest against the Yadana gas pipeline project
              despite facing charges of obstructing work at the project site in
              Kanchanaburi.

              In a lecture on ways out for the Thai society, the prominent
              social campaigner declared war on the Petroleum Authority of
              Thailand (PTT), the pipeline builder, and vowed that he would
              not give up his struggle against the project.

              He claimed construction of the pipeline would destroy areas of
              the finest virgin forest left in Thailand and endanger wildlife.

              Mr Sulak, who was granted bail after he and 40 other protesters
              were arrested recently, said he was consulting his legal advisers
              to file a counter-lawsuit against the PTT, which is building the
              pipeline.

              "I've asked my lawyers to look into legal aspects on filing a suit
              against the PTT. I will fight until the project is scrapped," said the
              onetime Nobel Peace Prize nominee.

              Mr Sulak, 65, came under fire last week from a senior minister
              for failing to call off his solo protest despite a pledge by
              mainstream protesters to give up their stand once the prime
              minister had made a final decision on the issue.

              Last month, Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai appointed a panel to
              smooth over differences between supporters and opponents of
              the project. The panel recommended that villagers and
              non-governmental organisation participate in monitoring the
              pipeline work.

              But Mr Chuan last week gave the green light for the completion
              of the project.

              Mr Sulak strongly blasted the Democrat-led government for
              ignoring the plights of the poor and human rights violations by the
              Burmese government, which will sell gas to Thailand.

              He called on all lower-class and middle-class people to join
              forces to put an end to the controversial project.

              In his speech the social critic attributed the economic downturn
              to the influence of consumerism brought into the country by the
              ruling class.

              The consumerism has made Thais become slaves of new
              technology, claimed Mr Sulak, pointing out the gas pipeline
              project as an example which was built at the expense of natural
              forest resources.