Economic growth hindered by Map Ta Phut stalemate

BANGKOK, 17 December 2009 (NNT) – The deadlock at Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate could hamper the country’s economic growth in the long run if the government was incapable of tackling the problem soon, according to the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC).

TCC Chairman Dusit Nontanakorn stated that the government should come up with clearer action plans and solutions to the Map Ta Phut dispute in the next four or five months as recommended by the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking. He expressed concerns that the issue could lower the confidence of local and foreign investors and might affect the country’s gross domestic product. A delayed solution could cause a huge loss of investment worth 40-50 billion THB over the next 5 to 10 years.

The Administrative Court earlier issued an injunction for 76 projects in the Map Ta Phut industrial estate in eastern province of Rayong to temporarily halt functioning after NGOs and local residents filed a complaint over environmental and health impacts. It was until 2 December that the Supreme Administrative Court has given nods to 11 industrial projects to resume operation while 65 others are still suspended.