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dam-l LS: Pak Mun: Tensions ease as talks start
Tensions ease as talks start after 14 months of protests
Nothing definite, but they'll set up a panel
Anchalee Kongrut in Ubon Ratchathani, Bangkok Post May 28th, 2000
No concrete agreement was reached but tension at the Pak Moon dam declined
somewhat as talks between protesters and authorities took place for the
first time in 14 months.
The most substantial understanding emerging from yesterday's meeting in
Khong Chiam district was that a multi-party committee be set up with the
government's blessing to look into the protesters' grievances.
Brokered by a group of senators-elect, the talks brought together
representatives of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand,
provincial administration and protesting villagers whose two-week blockade
of the power generator monitoring plant at the dam has raised fears of
violent confrontation.
Respected academic Banthorn Orndam moderated the session, observed by a
group of senators-elect including Sawai Prammanee from Nakhon Ratchasima,
Tuenjai Deetes from Chiang Rai, and Veerasak Sinarak and Nirand
Pitakwatchara from Ubon Ratchathani.
Conspicuously absent from the negotiation table was Amnuay Patise, the PM's
deputy secretary-general, who was earlier designated by Prime Minister
Chuan Leekpai to sit in on the talks on his behalf.
The protesters earlier burned Mr Amnuay's effigy and have demanded to talk
to someone else with full authority from Mr Chuan. Yesterday, Mr Amnuay
spent the day at the dam and talked with Egat and senior provincial
officials at Sirindhorn dam after the talks ended.
Mr Banthorn spoke first, asking for a minute of silent meditation so that
all parties could open up their minds together in search of a solution.
Mr Banthorn and the observing senators tried to ease tension and cut off
unproductive criticisms and recounting of past disputes by both sides. By
midday the protesters relented on their earlier steadfast refusal of Egat's
request to send maintenance staff in to inspect the power turbines.
However, they insisted they first needed Mr Chuan's assurance that their
grievances would be taken care of by someone with full authority to make
decisions.
The biggest achievement of the day was a promise by Siva Saengmanee, the
provincial governor, that he would fly to Bangkok immediately to request
that the government quickly form a committee to address the grievances of
Pak Moon protesters. The protesting villagers also told Egat deputy
governor M.L. Chanaphan Kridakorn that they had few choices in trying to
draw Mr Chuan's attention.
Seizing Pak Moon dam was the last bargaining chip they had to pressure the
government to respond to their demands.
Prior to their dramatic action, the villagers had been living in a
makeshift village by the bank of the Moon river next to the dam for more
than a year, trying to call the government's attention to their plight.
The villagers' admission noticeably softened the hostility of Egat workers
and local reporters, who had been criticised for their negative attitudes
towards the protesters.
Protest leader Wanida Tantiwitayapitak of the Assembly of the Poor said it
was predictable that the government would form a committee to handle the
problem.
"Hundreds of committees have arisen from our campaigns. But it is the
quickest way to get a response from the government."Mr Amnuay said he would
propose the appointment of a working committee at Tuesday's cabinet meeting.
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