JSCCIB orders speedy assistance to 22 Map Ta Phut projects

BANGKOK, 14 June 2010 (NNT) – The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) has assigned two ministries to assist 22 Map Ta Phut industrial projects, which were suspended by the court’s injunction.

Prime Minister’s Office Vice-Minister Puttipong Punnakan revealed that the JSCCIB today resolved to assign the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of the Natural Resources and Environment to speed up sending help to 22 industrial projects located in Map Ta Phut industrial estate. Of these, 11 projects remain suspended by the court’s order while the other 11 have yet been launched.

The Administrative Court initially issued an injunction for 76 projects in Map Ta Phut industrial estate in the eastern province of Rayong to halt functioning for their failure to pass the environmental and health impact assessments as required by the Constitution. 12 projects were later given the green light to resume their operations, leaving the other 64 frozen until today.

Of all the suspended projects, besides the 22 to receive aid upon the JSCCIB’s decision today, 7 have been closed down or will remain suspended. The other 35 have already received assistance, comprising of 28 with potential to receive permission to resume, 3 pending the court’s decision and 4 preparing to lodge appeals to the court.