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dam-l LS: EGAT files charges against 14 villagers
Protest chief dares police to act
Egat files charges against 14 villagers
Dusit Singhkhiri Wut Nontharit
Ubon Ratchathani and Bangkok
Bangkok Post May 23rd, 2000
A protest leader challenged authorities yesterday to arrest more than 1,000
villagers who have been demonstrating on sections of the Pak Moon dam for
eight days.
Phakdi Chanla-iat, one of 14 protesters facing serious charges lodged by
the electricity generating authority, said the Ubon Ratchathani governor
would be given a list of the protesters.
Mr Phakdi, of the Assembly of the Poor, said Egat's charges were designed
to threaten other villagers.
"Those are serious charges and the charge of criminal assembly is unjust."
Pol Maj-Gen Bamrung Sukphanich, chief of Ubon Ratchathani police, urged the
protesters to think twice before signing their names on the list because it
would be construed as an admission of guilt. None of the 14 leaders were
questioned in connection with the charges filed at Sirindhorn police station.
Governor Siva Saengmanee said force would not be used against protesters
except in case of damage.
He urged the protesters to allow mechanics to repair the fourth power
generator which has gone out of order, saying he would invite their
representatives for talks today.
"The officials should be allowed to repair the machines before there is any
damage which would not be good for either side," he said.
The Students Federation of Thailand staged a mock construction of the dam's
fish ladder while some 28 fishing boats were used to form the words "NO DAM".
A group of senators-elect called on the government to look into the problem
and came up with a national policy to solve the problem.
"Instead of letting provincial authorities and Egat officials handle the
problem, the government should come up with something. It shouldn't wait
for a rally," said senator-elect Sawai Prammanee, who visited the site on
Sunday.
He called for a neutral panel to handle the conflict after the Assembly of
the Poor asked Anand Panyarachun to mediate.
Mr Sawai said a neutral committee was needed because of mistrust between
the protesters and the authorities.
Senators-elect in the province should act as mediators and keep out
interferences that might cause harm, he said.
Bangkok senator-elect Sophon Suphapong has been asked to present a report
to the government.
He said Banthorn Ondam, a social affairs specialist of Thammasat
University, would be ideal for the job because he would be respected by all
parties.
The senator-elect also called on the government to keep an open mind and
allow the villagers to have their say on the issue.
He also said he would propose the establishment of a panel to work on
natural resources and poverty, when the Senate convenes.
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Southeast Asia Rivers Network (SEARIN)
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Chang Phuek
Muang Chiang Mai 50300
Thailand
Tel&Fax (66) 53-221157
Email: searin@chmai.loxinfo.co.th
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Aviva Imhof
South-East Asia Campaigner
International Rivers Network
1847 Berkeley Way, Berkeley CA 94703 USA
Tel: + 1 510 848 1155 (ext. 312), Fax: + 1 510 848 1008
Email: aviva@irn.org, Web: http://www.irn.org
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