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dam-l LS: Pak Mun - Forum steps up pressure on spillways
The Bangkok Post
June 16, 2000
PAK MOON DAM
Forum steps up pressure on spillways
Authorities ignore panel they set up
Ploenpote Atthakor
The Forum of the Poor yesterday insisted that the government and the
Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand comply with a resolution that
all the spillways of Pak Moon dam be opened until the end of August.
The suggestion to open the dam's gates should be taken seriously as it had
been worked out by a national panel chaired by prominent scholar Banthorn
On-dam.
The panel had been set up by the government to end the Pak Moon dam
conflict, said Wanida Tantiwitthaya, adviser to the pressure group.
She noted that while the committee comprised academicians named by both the
government and the protesters, the resolution had been unanimous.
More importantly, she said, now that the protesters had agreed to take one
step backward, as suggested by the panel, to allow Egat staff to enter part
of the protest site to carry out the maintenance work, Egat should also
respect the resolution.
The protesters allowed Egat staff access to the dam site yesterday at 10.30am.
Protesters who have demonstrated in front of Government House will also
return to Ubon Ratchathani this morning, she said.
"Our decision to step back is to allow the committee to work without
pressure. At the same time, the government is obligated to respect the
committee's will," she said.
Panel chairman Mr Banthorn, said he is determined to press for the
government's approval of its resolution to open the spillways.
During a hearing with Egat officials and Pak Moon villagers last Monday,
the committee dismissed Egat's claim that opening the watergates would
cause damage, ranging from economic loss to fisheries, to water shortage
for farmers.
The panel found that the number of villagers with fishing cages in the Moon
River who Egat said would be affected, was rather small, in the area from
Khong Chiam to Phibul Mangsaharn districts. It also found that agricultural
land of more than 85% of the farmers did not depend on water from the dam.
Mr Banthorn said the committee would be very displeased if Egat ignores its
resolution-which has been turned down by the interior minister, who wants
to set up another committee.
Mr Banthorn said it was the interior minister's responsibility to talk with
the PM's office minister in charge of Egat to demand the spillways be
opened immediately.
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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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