Activist group seeks court to freeze 12 more Map Ta Phut projects

BANGKOK, 15 February 2010 (NNT) – A group of activists are preparing to seek a court order halting the operation of 12 additional projects located in the Map Ta Phut industrial estate on 19 February.

Mr Srisuwan Chanya, Chairperson of the Stop Global Warming Association disclosed that the group is planning to seek injunction for another 12 projects in the Map Ta Phut industrial estate in the eastern seaboard province of Rayong, to cease functioning for their failure to meet environmental and health impact assessments as required by the Section 67 of the constitution.

Section 67 requires the government to seek consultations and opinions from an independent body comprising environmental and health experts before licensing any industrial projects.

The Administrative Court previously issued an injunction for 76 projects in the Map Ta Phut industrial estate to halt functioning for not complying with environmental and health impact assessment requirements. The Supreme Administrative Court later gave the green light to 12 industrial projects to resume work while 64 others presently remain suspended.

The court is scheduled to deliberate the Map Ta Phut case on 18 February.