BKK Post, March 17, 1998. PIPELINE

[burma@xxxxxxxxxx]

March 17, 1998. PIPELINE PROJECT

PTT claims villagers compensated

The Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) claims it has settled 
compensation for most of the families affected by its gas pipeline 
project in Kanchanaburi province.

PTT governor Pala Sukawech told a press conference at Government House 
yesterday that the 260-km gas pipeline had affected 1,350 families, 
1,300 of whom had already reached a settlement with the authority.

For the remaining 50 families, the PTT was expecting to reach 
compromises with 23 of them, but the other 27 were outside the project's 
compensation area, he said.

Mr Pala thanked conservationists for leaving the project's site as he 
said that the PTT would otherwise face trouble in having the pipeline 
laid in the rainy season.

He promised that the PTT would work with environmental organisations to 
later declare forests along the pipeline's route a national park where 
wildlife would be protected.

Under its natural gas supply deal with Burma, the PTT must accomplish 
laying the 260-kilometre gas pipeline running from the border of 
Thailand and Burma at I-tong village in Kanchanaburi's Thong Pha Phum 
district to a power plant in Ratchaburi by July 1.

------------------------------------------------------------------------