BKK POST: January 24, 1998: GAS PIP

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January 24, 1998
GAS PIPELINE PROJECT

              Supporters
              threaten to oust
              protesters

              30,000 show support for PTT project

              Chakrit Ridmontri 
              Kanchanaburi

              Supporters of the Thai-Burmese gas pipeline project yesterday
              threatened to remove conservationists from their protest site at a
              lush forest on the pipeline route.

              "We have to remove the protesters from the forest for the sake
              of the national interest," said Thanyo Daraphisaisuk, head of the
              association of kamnan and village chiefs in the province.

              For the past month, about 100 conservationists have been
              camping out at Huay Khayeng forest to try to prevent the laying
              of the pipeline, which is due to reach the site in the next couple of
              days.

              Six of 260 kilometres of the pipeline will pass through the
              first-class watershed forest, which conservationists claim would
              threaten to damage the ecology and the survival of some wild
              animals, including elephants, Kitti hog-nosed bats, and Rajini
              crabs.

              The association and several industry and local groups yesterday
              led a mass rally of some 30,000 people at the provincial hall in
              support of the pipeline project.

              Other organising groups included the local chamber of
              commerce, the Federation of Thai Industries, the local press club
              and farmers' groups. They collected thousands of signatures and
              submitted them to provincial governor Direk Uthaipol.

              Supporters argue the project would benefit the local economy
              and bring needed energy for the country's development. They
              say while some forest land will be damaged, the gas supply from
              the pipeline would cause less damage than building dams to
              generate power.

              However, while organisers said rallygoers participated in the
              event on their own accord, some of them said they have been
              persuaded to join.

              "District officials told us to bring at least 20 people from each
              village and sign the petition in support of the project," said
              Boonchuay Manchai, kamnan of Tambon Thung Samoa in
              Phanom Thuan district.

              "I didn't know conservationists are opposing the project. What
              I'm concerned about is that the gas is good for us."

              Rallygoers crowded in makeshift shades erected around the
              football field in the provincial stadium.

              Elderly women, who made up much of the crowd, seemed to get
              more enjoyment from chewing betel nut, eating free lunches and
              listening to country music from the big stage than from paying
              attention to the speeches.

              Accusing the protesters of being outsiders, the speakers said the
              fate of the project should be decided by the majority of
              residents.

              Governor Direk told the crowd they were patriots who have
              done the right thing to protect the national interest.

              He said he would call a meeting between the two opposing sides
              to settle their differences early next month.

              "The majority's decision should prevail," he said.

              Boonsong Changsongrassamee, a leader of Kanchanaburi
              Conservation Group, accused the Petroleum Authority of
              Thailand, the project developer, of funding the event, paying 100
              baht for each person showing up.

              He questioned the supporters' right to remove protesting
              conservationists from the forest. "What have we done wrong?"
              he asked.

              "We have proposed to the PTT measures to mitigate
              environmental impact but it has ignored us."

              Mr Boonsong said the protesters would continue their peaceful
              protest at the forest and try to publicise the facts about the
              project to the rest of the country.

              Meanwhile, Prime Minister's Office Minister Supatra Masdit said
              Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai has expressed concern about the
              confrontation.

              She said Mr Chuan has assigned her to work with concerned
              authorities to ensure that the activities remain peaceful.

              She added that responsible agencies would hold a meeting on
              Monday to try to come up with satisfactory solutions to the
              problem. 




                                     




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