Government as chief mediator to solve Map Ta Phut issue

BANGKOK, 19 October 2009 (NNT) – K Bank CEO expresses discontent concerning public sector not exercising enough leadership in solving Map Ta Phut issue, advices environmental sector and investors to discuss for solution.

Kasikorn Bank CEO Bantoon Lumsum revealed that to solve the current issue of 76 projects under suspension in Map Ta Phut industrial district by administrative court, all factions involved should put their heads together and find one single approach to the problem. Mr. Bantoon pointed out that whether the more crucial problem at hand was deceleration of economy or environmental problem, all was equally important.

The CEO expressed that there were many ways in which the problems could be solved in a win-win outcome. He stated that public sector should look at the point of rationality from both parties and become the mediator to conceive collaboration between the opposing parties. Siding with specific party will only lead to loss on all sides.

The CEO viewed that only the public sector had enough authority and was in the appropriate position to act as the mediator. Public sector as the mediator should consider the country’s direction of development in economy, living and environment.

In any case, the CEO concluded that the problem at hand was complicated so all parties must come together with the goodwill to find a solution which would mutually benefit all sides. Casting blames with hostility, he added, would not work. When one party loses, whether it is the environmental sector or the investors, the country stand to lose.