NO NEW FACTORIES WITHOUT ASSURANCES

       Expansion plan for industrial plants at Map Ta Phut should be debated at public hearings before approval is given
       The government must carefully consider its policy at the Map Ta Phut industrial estate in Rayong after the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) recently pointed out that approving more factories at this site - now a pollution-control zone - could violate the constitution.
       The NHRC says that if the government allows more factories to be located at Map Ta Phut, it could be interpreted as a violation of Article 67 of the Charter.
       The plan for more factories has faced opposition and protests from local people who fear the environmental impact of further development and the pollution it will cause, will have negative consequences on their way of life.
       The big question for the government is how to balance industrial development and the interests of residents who live in the area.
       Chairman of the NHRC's Committee for Civil Rights, Niran Pitakwatchara, said his panel would send a letter to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who chairs a joint public- and private-sector panel that is looking at licences for Map Ta Phut.
       Industries meanwhile argue that factories will not pollute the environment.
       Sounds familiar, doesn't it?
       The local residents are not convinced by this argument because an independent organisation - made up of representatives of environmental and health groups - to investigate the possible environmental impact has yet to come into being. A bill to set up such an organisation has not materialised so far.
       The problem lies in a lack of trust between people in the area and the industries, as well as the government agencies who oversee environmental standards. This deep-seated mistrust is nothing new, however. Unfortunately, no administration has ever taken this matter seriously, or has had the political will to do something about it. And so there has been incident after incident and protest after protest; deals are made and life goes on. But the mistrust persists.
       At this particular juncture, with the debate over Map Tha Phut ongoing, it would be unwise for the government to proceed with the investment expansion plan without the consent of the locals. In the past, public hearings on proposed projects - such as the Bo Nok Hin Krut power plant in Prachuap Khiri Khan province - created huge conflict in local communities.
       Certainly, Rayong residents are entitled to vent their disapproval of the plan for new factories. After all, they are the victims of the unrestrained industrial development that has gone on for years, and the potential victims of any further uncontrolled expansion.
       Thailand has transformed its economy from being agriculture-based to manufacturing-based, partly at the expense of the well-being of local residents. The agencies involved might have been excited about the foreign exchange that these factories brought into the country at first. But the pollution they caused later raised the question of whether it's worthwhile to keep expanding the industrial base at the expense of people's health.
       A number of irresponsible factories discharge waste, causing severe health problems for nearby residents. Although the authorities may argue that the factories have to pass an environmental standard, such are apparently not sufficient to assure people they will not have to suffer from the effects of pollution. Last week, villagers rallied again outside the Map Ta Phut estate office to protest against the plan to extend more licences for new factories.
       It would not be a shrewd move for the authorities and industries to proceed with the expansion without listening to the residents' voices. They should first try to create understanding among the people that their plants will not harm the environment. If the people don't buy in to their claims, the conflict between industries and residents will erupt again.
       The government meanwhile must work out how to assure residents that the environmental standards will be respected. This can be done through the setting up of a neutral body.
       If this is not done, no one will be convinced that new factories conform to the environmental regulations, and peaceful coexistence between local residents and the industries will not be possible.
       Thais may soon have to question whether this path of industrial development will lead to a desirable future.