Pak Bara port plans shelved, source says

Pak Bara port plans shelved, source says

Plans for the Pak Bara port had proceeded to the architect stage, with this drawing as the most likely prototype - until the plan was dropped.
Plans for the Pak Bara port had proceeded to the architect stage, with this drawing as the most likely prototype - until the plan was dropped.

The government has decided to shelve the controversial Pak Bara deep-sea port project in Satun to avoid fuelling conflicts between residents and state officials, an informed source says.

The source at the Ministry of Transport, who asked not to be named, said Wednesday that Deputy Transport Minister Pailin Chuchottaworn recently called a meeting with officials to voice concern about the social and environmental impacts of the port.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has softened his stance since last year on infrastructure projects in the South, including the Pak Bara port.

The premier promised protesters that he would carefully consider local people's opinions and take the environmental impact into account before going ahead with the port. If built, it would be located 4.5km off the coast pf Satun, in the midst of ecologically rich area where tourists frequently visit.

Construction of the port would require land filling.

Residents along the Trang-Satun shoreline have been defiantly opposed to government plans to build the Pak Bara port, including at the site (above) and at protests in Bangkok. (File photo)

Local residents and environmental advocates have been up in arms against the project touted to put Thailand on par with Singapore as a shipping route, because they say the 9.74-billion-baht port project poses a threat to the marine ecology and fishing stocks.

Apart from locals, some state agencies have also been reluctant to agree to the project for fear of damage to marine national parks, the source said.

Thailand is planning to nominate marine national parks in the lower Andaman Sea with Unesco as world heritage sites.

The port's construction would require the expropriation of about 7,400 rai of land close to Ko Petra Marine National Park, which could jeopardise its listing, the source added.

"The meeting reached a conclusion that it is about time to shelve the project because we cannot proceed with conducting an environmental impact assessment and public hearings as local villagers usually refuse to participate," said the source.

According to the Transport Ministry source, Mr Pailin asked the Marine Department to study plans to develop sea ports in other areas.

However, the source insisted the Pak Bara location is the most suitable because the depth of the sea there is optimal for shipping.

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