NGO move against Map Ta Phut, other industrial projects, shakes entrepreneur confidence

BANGKOK, Oct 14 (TNA) – Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij on Tuesday conceded that a move by non-governmental organisations to seek a court order suspending the operations of industrial projects in industrial estates nationwide could shake the confidence of entrepreneurs.

His statement was in response to the Central Administrative Court’s injunction against operations of 76 industrial projects in the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate in the eastern province of Rayong for their non-compliance with the country’s basic environment protection law.

Mr Korn said the government must find a middle ground between environmental protection and driving of country’s economy.

He allowed that amending the National Environmental Quality Act through parliamentary means must take at least several months.

Accordingly it is necessary for the National Environment Committee to issue a regulation requiring industries in various areas to comply with the Article 67 of the Constitution governing environmental protection in communities.

Should any factories be found abiding by the statutory rules already, he said, they would be allowed to continue operating. (TNA)