Four-party panel appointed to tackle Map Ta Phut impasse

BANGKOK, 15 November 2009 (NNT) -A four-party committee has been appointed to resolve the problems surrounding the Map Ta Phut industrial estate in Rayong, according to the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva stated during his weekly talk show “Confidence in Thailand with Prime Minister Abhisit” today, that the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Former Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun to head a four-party panel to deal with the environmental and health issues currently plaguing the industrial commune of Map Ta Phut. He said the newly-appointed committee would start its first assignment next week.

The four-party committee, comprised of representatives from both the public and private sectors has been charged with executing three main tasks, which include reclassifying 70 industrial projects previously suspended within 30 days, formulating a pollution control and rehabilitation plan within 60 days and organizing a public referendum on legal issues and new regulations for industrial environmental practices.

The Prime Minister added further that all pending Map Ta Phut cases would be forwarded for final resolution by judicial process.