Activists and residents of Satun province are ready to defy Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha for reviving the controversial and environmentally sensitive Pak Bara deep-sea port project and said they are not afraid of him.
The port's opponents said they had no fear of the powers granted under Section 44 and would do all they could to block the port, even though Gen Prayut warned them not to cause problems.
In his weekly television address on Friday night, Gen Prayut reaffirmed the government’s commitment to developing Pak Bara despite concern about the environmental impact and local livelihoods.
He urged Satun residents not to create a conflict over the issue as the government would help those affected.
Gen Prayut stressed that the project was needed to create a gateway that would link the Andaman Sea to Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
"Please don’t create a conflict. We will try to take care of those who will be affected," the general said.
"If we don’t build the port, there will be no gateway to the Andaman Sea and we cannot link goods shipments to Europe, the Middle East and Africa."
The Pak Bara seaport is expected to support the Satun-Songkhla energy land bridge project which involves the transport of fuel from a proposed petroleum refinery on the Gulf of Thailand to facilities by the Andaman Sea.
Both projects are part of a Transport Ministry infrastructure project worth 2.4 trillion baht that has been approved by the National Council for Peace and Order.
But southern villagers say marine traffic, pollution and contamination from logistic and petroleum activities will ruin the environment.
The Pak Bara project covers Satun’s Phetra Islands Marine National Park, which is a source of local food and revenue for locals.
But its construction would mean the national park, which covers about 4,734 rai, having its protection status revoked.
It would also mean local residents facing the loss of a vital source of food and income and the disappearance of a significant tourism destination, according to information from a local watchdog group.
Three years ago, a probe by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) found the Pak Bara project would violate community rights and destroy the environment and local livelihoods.
NHRC commissioner Niran Pitakwatchara said yesterday thousands of households in the Pak Bara area rely on traditional fishery. The area is surrounded by national parks, such as the Tarutao.
Banchong Nasae, chairman of Thai Sea Watch Association, said southern villagers are ready to oppose the government’s use of Section 44 to instigate the project.
“We are ready to block Government House and any related ministries if the project goes ahead. We are not afraid of the prime minister’s power," Mr Banchong said.
Marine Department director-general Chula Sukmanop said the Pak Bara project was initiated in 1997 and passed an environmental impact assessment in 2007.
However, the project has not yet been approved due to strong resistance from local residents, Mr Chula said.
Authorities have worked with local residents to find a solution. They have agreed that a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) must be conducted on all related projects including construction of roads, ports and railways, Mr Chula said.
The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning under the Transport Ministry has been given 50 million baht to conduct the study, which will take about one year, he said.
If the project passes the SEA study, it will still have to undergo an environmental and health impact assessment before approval for construction is sought.
Construction is expected to begin in 2017, and will take about five years.
The 12 billion baht project covers areas in the southern provinces of Satun and Songkhla.
After the first phase is completed, the Pak Bara seaport will handle about two million tonnes of cargo annually, comparable to Klong Toey port.