BKK POST: January 25, 1998: ENVIRON

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BKK POST: January 25, 1998: ENVIRONMENT

              Pipeline protester
              faces charge for
              obstruction

              PTT not willing to make change in
              route

              Chakrit Ridmontri

              The Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) has filed a
              complaint against a core leader of the Kanchanaburi
              Conservation Group, accusing her of preventing workers from
              laying the gas pipeline.

              Thong Pha Phum police notified Phinant Chotirosseranee of the
              charge last week and told her to defend herself tomorrow.

              She has been charged due to her organising of blockades to stop
              the PTT cutting trees in lush forest in Thong Pha Phum district to
              make way for the pipeline.

              She has encouraged students from conservation clubs and other
              allies of environmental NGOs to camp out at the forest, forcing
              the PTT's contractor to halt work in the area.

              "We will remain in the forest as long as possible and I'm ready to
              be arrested," said Mrs Phinant.

              The threat of confrontation between the group and the pipe
              workers is increasing with bulldozers about to reach the camp to
              complete construction work. The PTT wants to get the group
              out of the area.

              More than 50 students from conservation clubs at 16 universities
              have moved into the forest to support the group. They yesterday
              stopped five bulldozers from clearing bamboo, which wild
              elephants feed on.

              Another group of students climbed Ta Kua mountain to urge
              workers to stop cutting trees.

              The PTT is pressing ahead with the laying of the 260-km pipeline
              for a July 1 deadline. On that day gas will be delivered from the
              Yadana and Yetagun fields in Burma.



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Last Modified: Sun, Jan 25, 1998