ALLIANCE WANTS HALT TO MAP TA PHUT PROJECTS

       The Anti-Global Warming Association and 43 Map Ta Phut villagers yesterday petitioned the Administrative Court to freeze all petrochemical projects planned for the industrial zone.
       They also asked the court to reverse the Cabinet's resolution on Tuesday that allowed the issue of operating licences to some petrochemical projects.
       The opponents said the licensing did not abide by Article 67 of the Constitution.
       Association president Srisuwan Chanya said the projects would cause trouble for the public and environment.
       Under the Constitution, all of the projects must conduct both an environmental-impact assessment and a health-impact assessment along with a public hearing. An opinion from an independent environmental body is also required.
       Villager Suthi Atchasai said if the petition received no satisfactory results, then on September 9 the Network of Eastern People would gather at the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate.
       "We don't want to block investment but want to ensure that all investment is in line with the Constitution. We may block the port and the industrial estate, as well as the sites for the new plants, in order to send a message to all that pollution problems are not yet addressed," he said.
       Recently, the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) awarded long-awaited operating licences to four industrial projects worth Bt17.55 billion, including one each to the PTT Group and the Siam Cement Group.
       Besides the four approved projects, 19 worth Bt305.45 billion are awaiting IEAT approval and 13 worth Bt59 billion are pending approval from the Industrial Works Department.