Cabinet supports 19 Map Ta Phut projects to appeal

BANGKOK, 22 December 2009 (NNT) — The Cabinet will next week review a National Environment Board announcement on health impact assessment and public hearing requirement for new industries in a hope to break the impasse facing the 65 suspended projects at Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the Cabinet today studied the actual status of the suspended projects and found that 19 of them have a chance to proceed as they have the same criteria as the 11 projects earlier passed by the administrative courts.

The Prime Minister said, however, owners of those projects would have to appeal the court by themselves. Of the 19 projects, 4 are in the stage of preparation for construction, 8 have their plants built and 7 are under construction.

Deputy Industry Minister, Surayuth Petchtrakul, said that the 19 projects could be categorized as industries which have mild environmental impacts. For instance, they use technology transfers with no pollution emission or they have a clear-cut step on pollution control.

The Cabinet has entrusted the permanent secretaries for Industry and Energy to discuss with the companies to make sure they submit the appeal individually as their industries have different natures. The Ministry of Industry will act as the mediator in the process.