EGAT to solve power plant resistance

Lieutenant General Anantaporn Kanjanarat, Minister of Energy visited and delivered energy policy to Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), has ordered EGAT to provide clear information on electric power generation, back up plan and the fuel proportion used to produce electricity. EGAT is also requested to provide electricity purchase plan from abroad to present to public and investors to have better understanding on current country electricity situation. This measure happened after anti-coal fired power plants movement in many areas. Thailand’s electricity backup still remains high, the government does not urgently need to invest in new power plants, said the anti-coal fired power plant group.

Ban Pong: A Story of a Solid Community

Two hundred years ago, the ancestors of the Ban Pong people came to the area to try to develop the land, during a time where land titles did not exist. They had lived in peace until the government issued a land titling policy in the 1990s.

Shan Community Handover 23,717 Signatures Opposing Dams on the Salween River to Australian Consultants

Karen News Shan community representatives presented 23,717 signatures opposing the construction of plans to dams the Salween River to the Australian company doing the environmental and social impact assessments (EIA/SIA) for the Mong Ton dam in southern Shan State. The Shan community representatives delivered their petition to the Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation (SMEC) offices in […]

NGOs, Volunteer Groups Take Pollution Fight into their Own Hands

Amid mounting concerns about environmental issues, a growing number of people in China are starting to take the fight against pollution into their own hands. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and volunteer groups focused on environmental protection have been sprouting up around the country over the past few years. Most are engaged in detection efforts and conducting their own research on industrial pollution that is often ignored by the government.

Locals push back

Wichan Khantuwarn, 65, a native of Trat, has felt uneasy since he learned of the government’s decision to set up special economic zones (SEZs) and name the small, easternmost province as one of 10 designated areas. Local people have also voiced concerns that the environment and ecology in Khlong Yai will worsen because of the SEZ.

Bomb Destroys Mining Company Truck

A bomb blew up a truck loaded with silicon mineral stone in Aung Myittar Ward, Namhkam Township, Northern Shan State at 7.20pm on 10 March according to Sai Ye, a local resident.

He said: “When the bomb exploded under the engine at the front of the truck some parts of the engine were destroyed but no one was injured in the accident. The truck driver is Sai Pe from Aung Myittar Ward and the explosion happened in front of his home. The explosion was very big, it caused the ground to shake. The whole town was silent after the explosion and there was almost no one on the street.”

Karen Groups Concerned Proposed Dams on Salween River Could Fuel Conflict and Increase Militarization

The Karen River Watch, a coalition of Karen environmental community based groups raise concerns over the proposed hydropower dam projects on the Salween River and repeated their call for a halt to all development projects. Together with local villagers, KRW held a protest near Hat Gyi Dam, one of the proposed dam sites in Hlaingbwe Township, Karen State on March 14 to mark International Day of Action for Rivers and Against Dams.