PM confident Map Ta Phut problem to ease within 6 months

BANGKOK, Jan 19 (TNA) – Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Monday expressed confidence the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate environmental regulations problem would ease with a whole process to cope with the case already in place within six months.

Mr Abhisit said he will meet Japanese investors Tuesday and discuss their doubts and concerns over uncertainties in the implementation of investment projects in the Map Ta Put Industrial Estate located in the eastern seaboard province of Rayong.

Regarding the remark made by the committee tasked with the health impact examination that it might take more than six months to do the job, Mr Abhisit said the matter depended on the fact-finding.

“We can’t talk about it broadly because each of the investment projects has different facts and details. Still, there are clear regulations how the health impact examination will be made and how long it will take.

“Should the private sector accelerate putting the problem in place, I think, the process to address it will work more quickly,” he said.

Asked whether the Map Ta Phut problem would ease within six months, the premier said nobody could guarantee all obstacles and complications would be completely solved in the short run, but he believed the whole process to address the environmental regulations problem would become clear within six months.

Asked whether the government assessrf damage incurred from suspending the Map Ta Phut investment projects, Mr Abhisit said it is difficult to make an assessment because the matter depended on further rulings of the Administrative Court as well. (TNA)