The battle for Son-on Cape | Bangkok Post: opinion

Local Concerns: Conservation

The unsolved murder of Peera Tantiserane, the mayor of Songkhla municipality, has brought into focus the perennial clashes between environmental concerns and development projects in local politics that often end in violence.

Peera, who was gunned down on Nov 7 last year, was known for his efforts to protect the environment in Songkhla, which often drew ire from local business interests. The last controversy he was involved with was his opposition to a cable car project which would link Songkhla's scenic Son-on Cape with tambon Hua Khao Daeng on the other side of Songkhla Lake.

The project, initiated by the Songkhla Provincial Administration with an initial budget of nearly 500 million baht, was strongly opposed by many in Songkhla and by Peera. They were worried the project would undermine the pristine beauty of the 459-rai natural pine forest at Son-on Cape.