Another thread we were briefly discussing industry and steel plants on the southern peninsula near HH. Then, I open the Bangkok Post this morning to find this disaster. Is this the place you were referring to Lomu? Pete
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Prachuap Khiri Khan _ Around 1,800 rai of fertile phru forest in Prachuap Khiri Khan's Bang Saphan district is under threat by the planned construction of a new steel production plant by the country's leading steel manufacturer, according to local villagers and environmental activists. The Mae Rampueng peat swamp forest is home to various kinds of wildlife and marine animals, including endangered bird species, reptiles, fish and crabs.
The swamp is also a significant reservoir that helps absorb rainwater runoff and prevent flooding in the rainy season.
Withoon Bauroi, a village leader from tambon Mae Rampueng, said turning the peat swamp forest into a steel factory would devastate local livelihoods, which were largely dependent on the forest.
Mr Withoon took conservationists and the media to survey the pristine phru forest over the weekend. The activity was held after the villagers learned that a steel manufacturer, which already runs a steel factory in the district, planned to build the new plant.
A source close to the factory developer said the firm planned to build the plant in tambon Mae Rampueng. Construction was due to start this year but it might be delayed as a result of the political transition.
''Our community will face serious trouble if we lose this forest,'' he said.
However, Mr Withoon admitted that only a small group of people had joined the protest so far because they feared ''dark influences''.
''But we can't protect the peat swamp if we remain silent,'' he said.
Local officials however, did not support the villagers' struggle, he said.
He alleged the company illegally obtained land rights documents for the site, which he said was located on public land and protected forest areas.
''We have filed many complaints to state agencies, but officials turn a blind eye to the matter,'' said the villager.
Another Bang Saphan villager said the steel plant would have a serious environmental and health impact on villagers' health. He also claimed that about 10 workers at the existing steel plant in Bang Saphan district had died from mysterious lung diseases possibly caused by inhalation of toxic fumes in the factory. However, the firm denied the deaths were caused by its steel manufacturing process.
Hannarong Yaowaleos, deputy secretary-general of Wildlife Fund Thailand, urged the government to list the Phru Mae Rampueng peat swamp as a wetland of national importance.
Listed wetlands will be protected under a cabinet resolution on wetland preservation, which stipulates that any projects that take place on wetlands are prohibited unless the project's environmental impact assessment is approved by the National Environment Committee.
Forty-eight wetlands across the country have been registered so far.
Mr Hannarong added that the peat swamp is one of the country's most fertile wetlands and should be kept for educational and ecological preservation purposes rather than for factory construction.
''The government should support the villagers' move to protect natural resources because this is a brave act,'' he said.
The foundation, he said, would support the villagers' struggle by asking the National Human Rights Commission to investigate alleged irregularities in the firm's land procurement and the way the land rights document was issued by land officials.
Vital wetland threatened by proposed steel factory
Unfortunately, I think it must be the same area, although I'm not exactly sure where the specific tambon is. I'd reckon close to the first one as that's where the ships come in to collect the steel.
It would be a real shame as the whole area has great natural beauty.
It's difficult to guage just how much pollution would be caused - not even taking into account the loss of natural habitat- that a second steel works would bring (I'm no environmental expert).
We were all swimming in the sea at a particularly attractive cove (not dissimilar to Sai Noi beach just outside of HH) and the only real noticeable change to me, after a year's absence from down there, was that the sea was more murky - but that could have been simply because it was a bit choppy that day - and there seemed to be more large vessels entering the steel works than before.
Maybe Thailand's expecting another huge growth in building?
It would be a real shame as the whole area has great natural beauty.
It's difficult to guage just how much pollution would be caused - not even taking into account the loss of natural habitat- that a second steel works would bring (I'm no environmental expert).
We were all swimming in the sea at a particularly attractive cove (not dissimilar to Sai Noi beach just outside of HH) and the only real noticeable change to me, after a year's absence from down there, was that the sea was more murky - but that could have been simply because it was a bit choppy that day - and there seemed to be more large vessels entering the steel works than before.
Maybe Thailand's expecting another huge growth in building?