View Full Version : Songkhla's Controversial Pipeline
And yet another humorous utterance by our beloved semi-dictator, also to be found on the MCOT website today......
Sadly, he couldn't elaborate on who they are and what kind of interests they have.
By the way, Khun Thaksin, heartfelt congratulations on increasing the wealth of the Shinawatra family by 70% during the last year!
PM accuses pipeline protestors of vested interests
BANGKOK, Dec 19, (TNA) – Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra today lashed out at opponents of the Thai-Malaysian gas pipeline project, accusing some of the protestors of having vested interests.
Saying that local people were ‘unnecessarily scared’ of the consequences of the project, he noted that the Cabinet had already passed a resolution banning downstream industries from the site.
Instead, he said, the pipeline would bring prosperity and jobs to an improverished region.
While promising to listen to both sides of the dispute, he said that some of the leaders of the protest against the pipeline had vested interests. However, he refused to explain his allegations in more detail, saying he was afraid of facing libel charges. (TNA)-E006
By some accounts, the pipeline laying is already at quite an advanced stage.
Land-Map: http://www.hydrocarbons-technology.com/projects/thaimalaysia/thaimalaysia1.html
Seabed Profile: http://www.hydrocarbons-technology.com/projects/thaimalaysia/thaimalaysia2.html
Pipelaying Profile: http://www.hydrocarbons-technology.com/projects/thaimalaysia/thaimalaysia3.html
Evidence from more than one source says that the pipeline is completed and that unseparated gas is already flowing through it to Malaysia. Delays due to land disputes and the local controversy will probably mean that the gas separation plant will come on stream in about a year's time.
The next bit came as a surprise. It appears that a 700MW gas-fired power plant will soon commence construction adjacent to the Gas Sep Plant in Chana District.
I haven't exactly followed this project very carefully. Most local folk stay away from the site because of the various animosities generated.
It seems the site is already being prepared for the commencement of construction in about May, 2005; with a very approximate finish date about 18 months hence. This seems a tad optimistic in view of the other problems in the vicinity. I suppose that almost tallies with the date mentioned in the following article:-
http://www.cogen3.net/presscuts/thailand/egatplansgasplantinsongkhla.html
http://www.hydrocarbons-technology.com/projects/thaimalaysia/images/img1.jpg
How did you post the image? I thought that function is disabled?
For me, it says under "posting rules":
You may post new threads
You may post replies
You may not post attachments
You may edit your posts
..........oh, okay, I see, you used the code. But it cannot always be used - it's [I]off in some forums.
Well, if posting directly in the thread is not possible, I would recommend www.tinypic.com to upload your pictures and then put a link here on the forum. It's really easy. (A tip from Yappofloyd, btw.)
Well, if posting directly in the thread is not possible, I would recommend www.tinypic.com to upload your pictures and then put a link here on the forum. It's really easy. (A tip from Yappofloyd, btw.)
Like this. Thanks for helping me solve future picture hosting problems. It appears you don't need an account. I guess the deal is that they now own another image for their own photobank.
As a small bonus, here's one of my favorite images of the Great Hat-Yai Flood of 2000. Car owners rushed to park their cars on 'Sapan Dum' above flood level, and ironically over Klong Utapao; the main klong in town. I guess they some of the drivers then slept in the cars, because flood levels were about 2 Meters + at that point. Know one guy who spent three days on the steps of a large bank very close to this bridge. Nothing to eat or drink. And even the cigs ran out. Just him and dozens of others with a cement overhang to keep the rain off:-
http://tinypic.com/4j1hts
Cool pic, GWR! Seems it was taken from a helicopter? Where did you get that from?
No idea how it was taken. I scanned it off a Hat-Yai Flood Commemorative calendar. Cash-strapped by flood damage, many photographic shops resorted to printing large calendars with pictures of the flood to sell to Malaysian tourists who came over to buy flood-damaged goods at rock-bottom prices.
Maybe it was taken from a helicopter. Not far from this bridge is an apartment block. Some Thai army generals son got on his mobile and reported he was stuck in his apartment without food. An army helicopter made a beeline to that aprtment to drop supplies. Thailand's Aircraft carrier was moored off Songkhla to act as a helipad.
From the MCOT/TNA website:
Road caves in along Thai-Malaysian gas pipeline
SONGKHLA, May 11, (TNA) – Villagers in Songkhla have called for urgent action after discovering huge craters in a road near the Thai-Malaysian gas pipeline.
According to local reports, three 15 metre-long holes have appeared in the road leading into Baan Thung Khor in Namon district, forcing traffic into a single lane. Villagers, who have repeatedly pointed to similar craters, claim that the subsidence has been caused by digging for the Thai-Malaysian gas pipeline and the construction of the Thai-Malaysian gas separation plant in the area.
According to local resident Mr. Suwan Chuchert, the latest craters were first discovered on 9 May. The district authorities have now been informed, but although the company responsible for the pipeline has taken a look at the subsidence, no further action has been taken.
Mr. Suwan said that local residents were finding it extremely difficult to use the road, the main access road to their village. Warning that further subsidence could pose a danger to motorists, he called on those responsible to investigate the issue as a matter of urgency. He also noted that the digging of the pipeline had caused cracks to appear in several local houses, but that no compensation money had been paid out. (TNA)-E006
I also thought that there were to be no adjacent downstream industries, but there is some talk that an industrial gas production plant is planned by Praxair. And other downstreamers too over the next ten years or so.
Supara Janchitfa's 'The Nets of Resistance' (2004) gives the background to the issue; and shows that the 'economics' of this project have probably been somewhat botched as far as national interests go. It would seem that Malaysia prefers to conserve its own gas stocks, and allow the environmental degradation and financial mismanagement to affect the competiveness of its neighbors. Shareholders (including Ai Su's inlaws) needn't worry, however. In the case of another 'meltdown', they can always afford to go & live anywhere they they like.
Available in Se-Ed Bookshops. Uses a lot of the content from her 'Bangkok Post Articles. I'm not wild about the content & format of this book; but it seems a bit callous to say that about an account of other people's undoubted misfortunes. Quite informative, though. There are times when I think she oversimplifies the issues a tad; and perhaps has an over-romantic sympathy towards the resistors. That said, this project has definitely unleashed some top-down ugliness.
This book makes it plain that the 'resistors' have long expected that government would renege on its promises; as the necessary landholdings are already in hand. What isn't known is whether they are actually aware of the impending Power Station & Praxair projects? Unfortunately, the website cited in the book doesn't seem to be operative. Blocked, perhaps? Given that the constitution has basically become the Government's doormat, it wouldn't be too surprising:-
www.thaipetroleumwatch.com
It seems the pipeline may take a short north-heading branch near Hat-Yai; to provide gas to the 'Rubber City' Project at Chalung Industrial Estate.
Supara's book (See previous post) tells us that in 1999, the Government, PTT & TTM promised there would be neither downstream or related industries.[Chana District is not without present industrial development; and associated pollution problems. There are already several modern fish & rubber processing plants along Route 408, which are known to have created considerable water & air pollution problems in the past. Most passing motorists can easily establish that these problems exist, with their own noses.]
TPI purchased 2,400 Rai of land for a new industrial estate at Natap, some 15 kms up the coast from the Gas Separation Plant (GSP), but still in Chana District. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was approved for this site in July, 1998. That would take the project to about 15 Kms from downtown Songkhla. [One suspects that the land is North of Khlong Natap. South of the Khlong, there are more mosques, while to the North are more 'Wats'. This project would almost certainly be less contentious in Buddhist areas.]
I'm not entirely sure whether PM Taksin actually got around to issuing a cabinet resolution to ban such industries in Chana District. Locals seem to think such ministry regulations are easily rescinded. And one can guess how they could easily get round this regulation anyway. The Natap Plant is probably part of a fairly small enclave of Chana District to the North of Khlong Natap. Given that all government departments have been politically railroaded into lending assistance to these projects, it would probably be extremely easy for the Ministry of the Interior to redraw the boundary for Muang District along the natural boundary created by this large khlong.
It appears that TTM also wishes to process dry-ice in the vicinity of the GSP from the the plant's considerable Carbon Dioxide emissions [I guess this might indicate the intended Praxair Plant], 'and that industries such as ceramics, glass & tyres would spring up in the area close to the power supply' [Which is, I suppose, a veiled reference to the intended Power Station]. [Presumably, the tyre factories will be part of the 'Rubber City' Project at Chalung Industrial Estate, where they can benefit from the intended gas pipeline branch and the estate's own wastewater treatment plant.] TTM also said they would sell refined gas & LPG for power generation, as is already the case at Khanom in Nakorn Sri Thammarat Province.
This appears to be a reissue of one of Supara Janchitfah's original articles in the Bangkok Post (05/07/2003). Well the Gas Products Pipeline (GPP) is up and running already. By some accounts, most of the resistors have disappeared; having gained the compensation they really wanted; one of the reasons I believe Supara might have had an overidealised view of the protests.
That said, we only have to look at previous issues to realise that these problems don't go away. Every Thai Government I have yet to witness has had to deal first with the detrimental effects of the bad housekeeping by previous governments:-
http://www.aseanenergy.org/information/news_service/2003/july/10th_edition/news_32.htm
One project insider claimed that the protests completely disappeared when the right compensation materialised. This 07/0305 report suggests that not everyone has completely capitulated:-
http://www.oilwatch-sea.org/archives/ttmmay2005.html
And a more recent report:-
http://www.oilwatch-sea.org/archives/27%20July%20bulletin.pdf
One really wonders how these land disputes are still current, even after the Gas Separation Plant has basically been finished. On the other hand, I can report that as long ago as 1996, land claims in Dtaling Chan (under the control of Chana District Land Office) were an absolute nightmare. Influential figures with insider knowledge had obviously begun the carve-up long before TTM or GSP were known about by the general public. At that time, it looked like they were haggling over potential resorts. Now, we know differently. And a lot of it was community infighting.
http://www.fe.doe.gov/images/international/thai-gas.gif
One project insider claimed that the protests completely disappeared when the right compensation materialised. This 07/0305 report suggests that not everyone has completely capitulated:-
http://www.oilwatch-sea.org/archives/ttmmay2005.html
And a more recent report:-
http://www.oilwatch-sea.org/archives/27%20July%20bulletin.pdf
One really wonders how these land disputes are still current, even after the Gas Separation Plant has basically been finished. On the other hand, I can report that as long ago as 1996, land claims in Dtaling Chan (under the control of Chana District Land Office) were an absolute nightmare. Influential figures with insider knowledge had obviously begun the carve-up long before TTM or GSP were known about by the general public. At that time, it looked like they were haggling over potential resorts. Now, we know differently. And a lot of it was community infighting.
Another report from December, 04:-
http://www.malaysia-today.net/Blog-e/2004/12/malaysia-thailand-project-pipeline.htm
QUOTE:
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
Malaysia-Thailand project pipeline hits snag
Thai human rights body says plot is public land and wants work on gas project to stop
By Nirmal Ghosh
Straits Times
BANGKOK - THAILAND'S National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has demanded an immediate halt to work on the controversial US$1.5 billion (S$2.45 billion) Thai-Malaysia gas pipeline project passing through Chana Beach near Hat Yai.
The land on which the massive project is located is public property and the local land office had no right to change the status, the commission said, after a study of the documents.
The land department has been given three months to probe the status and history of the plot on which the two-stage gas separation plant is being built. Until that is completed, work on the project, which is already 90 per cent done, will be suspended.
The plot sprawls over 116ha, about the size of 150 soccer fields. About 35,000 locals - mostly fishermen, farmers and singing dove sellers - in some 25 villages are in the project zone.
The order is a blow to the government and a moral victory for locals and a coalition of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that were protesting against the pipeline.
If the land department does not produce a report, the issue will be debated in the next session of Parliament, which will be after the general election in February.
Banking on the support of the government, those running the project say they plan to ignore the NHRC, which was set up under the 1997 Constitution but has no enforcement powers.
Mr Amnuay Laimai, chief of public relations of Trans-Thai Malaysia (TTM), told The Straits Times yesterday: 'Our project will go on during the checking process.
'The commission wants to damage the image of the project. They are encouraging a negative attitude.
'We bought the land, we have documents to show that we acquired it legally.'
Even if the order is ignored, it will remain a liability if it comes before Parliament or if the NGOs go to court over the land rights issue.
Much will then lie in the hands of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who can influence the issue in Parliament.
He did not initiate the project, as it was started before he came to power. He, however, has been vigorously pushing for it. The Prime Minister has slammed the NGOs, accusing them of holding up development.
An inquiry established that police used excessive force to violently disperse a peaceful protest against the project in Hat Yai two years ago - an indication of the enthusiasm of the Thaksin government.
One NHRC commissioner, Mr Wasant Panich, said it had found that public land had been split into small plots and title deeds issued to a series of companies and individuals who later sold it to TTM, the company developing the pipeline.
'This shows we have been right all along,' Ms Ida Aroonwong,
a member of the NGO Alternative Energy Project for Sustainability, told The Straits Times yesterday in a telephone interview from Chana Beach. The beach was where police had broken up two local protests in the last fortnight and barred locals from entering the site.
Locals say the landscape has changed and, if the project continues, it will destroy their way of life and undermine their livelihoods.
Their concerns are not confined to the pipeline, but extend to a major industrial zone that is slated to come up around it as well.
Meanwhile, Mr Wasant said it was wrong for TTM to label locals as trespassers.
'The villagers honestly believe it is public land and so they had the right to protect it,' he said.
:UNQUOTE
2002 article extract from the 'The Economist'. It's so difficult to find out what is going to happen in your own backyard here, that there is actually something to be gained from reading dated articles:-
http://www.economist.com/surveys/displaystory.cfm?story_id=1009764
Land of frowns
Feb 28th 2002
Extract From The Economist print edition
Thais are impatient for change, but it will take time
Take the current controversy over a plan to build a gas pipeline across southern Thailand. Malaysia's and Thailand's state-owned oil firms signed an agreement to build the pipeline in 1999. Two years earlier, the new Thai constitution had enshrined the state's obligation to preserve traditional communities' way of life, to seek independent advice on all projects that might affect the environment, and to encourage popular participation in the work of the bureaucracy. Yet the handling of the project seemed to ignore all these strictures.
We'd rather go fishing
Villagers in Jana, the district where the pipeline will come ashore, say they first learned about the project from the television coverage of the signing ceremony. They fear that the pipeline will bring large-scale industrial development in its wake. Fishing and handicrafts, they say, pay better than factory jobs, and offer much more pleasant working conditions. They also worry that development would bring pollution, which might damage fish stocks and put an end to their traditional (and lucrative) pastime of breeding songbirds. They suspect that the bureaucracy is trying to bamboozle them into accepting a seemingly innocuous decision that will in fact undermine their whole way of life—just the sort of thing the constitution was designed to prevent.
Yet the Thai government started the process of consultation only after it had committed itself to the scheme. No law had yet been drafted to implement the relevant clause of the constitution, so the government held a public hearing under an old prime ministerial order which specified that people could take part in the hearing only by invitation. TTM, the company building the pipeline, says it invited everyone concerned; the opponents of the pipeline say the company rigged the invitations to guarantee a favourable response. On the day, protesters besieged the venue, battled with riot police and forced a delay. The government called upon a former army general to hold a second hearing. He rattled through the process with military efficiency, bringing down his gavel even as another angry crowd stormed the gym where the hearing was being held.
Another farce developed over the report on the project's environmental impact. People in Jana are so hostile to the experts who wrote it that they have inscribed the authors' names on a concrete slab at the landfall site. That way, say the locals, they can stamp on the names every time they come to protest. The supposedly independent panel the government convened to review the report's findings was made up chiefly of bureaucrats, but one of the few academics on the panel held up the review by demanding a more thorough assessment of the project's social impact. Her colleagues, she says, did nothing to back her up. Instead, they tried to rig the review by doctoring the minutes and keeping her away from meetings. She now wants the panel to reconvene so it can follow the proper procedure, but the government maintains that the work is done.
In the meantime, activists at the Noodles Against the Pipeline café in Jana say they do not trust officials any more. One indignant old fisherman claims that he was told not to fear gas leaks, because TTM had a satellite that could suck them up. Whatever the truth of such allegations, it is clear that the bureaucracy is determined to push the project through. It is not inconceivable, as TTM insists, that the majority of villagers actually want the pipeline to go ahead. But the constitutional mechanisms to test their opinion are not yet functioning properly. The pipeline's opponents say that leaves them no option but to resist its construction by force.
Seems like months ago that I was told there was already gas passing through this pipeline to Malaysia. The whole project has been mired in untruths since day one:-
http://www.bangkokpost.com/Business/10Jul2006_biz05.php
ENERGY / JOINT DEVELOPMENT
Thai-Malaysian gas pipeline ready to start operations
WITCHAYAN BOONCHOTE
Songkhla _ The Thai-Malaysian gas pipeline from the Joint Development Area (JDA) in the Gulf of Thailand has been completed and is ready to supply gas to Malaysia within the next two months.
Nuruddin Dasaesamoh, the public-relations manager for Trans Thai-Malaysia (Thailand) Co (TTM), said final tests on the pipeline and gas separation plant were expected to be finished within two months.
TTM is a joint venture between PTT Plc of Thailand and Petronas, Malaysia's national energy company.
Mr Nuruddin said that, although TTM was now steered by the Petronas president, Kalantar Mastan Mohamed, the company's key policies remained unchanged.
He said the company still had a commitment to environmental preservation in local communities, as well as investing 10 million baht annually in a local social development fund.
He said that, following the official launch of operations for the pipeline and gas separation plant, the company would also supply natural gas for vehicles (NGV) to PTT via the Klong Wa gas terminal.
"It is good news that people in Songkhla and neighbouring provinces have an opportunity to consume NGV at low prices because there are no transport costs for the gas supply," he said.
Booncherd Panyasai, a manager for PTT's NGV sales and marketing department, said it had invested 100 million baht in building the main NGV supply terminal at Klong Wa in Hat Yai to link with the Thai-Malaysia pipeline.
The main terminal will collect and supply NGV to three small terminals that are under construction, as well as existing service stations of PTT. It is expected that the small terminals will begin to offer NGV services in October.
"Our main terminal will be built in Klong Wa where the gas pipeline crosses over. It is expected that construction will be completed in mid-September. Then the equipment will be installed and a test run will be carried out. The terminal is expected to open for service in October," he said.
He said PTT would also invest around 20-30 million baht to install equipment in each small terminal.
If NGV demand increases in the future, PTT plans to raise the number of terminals. It also plans to open 25 more terminals in the South next year.
Mr Booncherd said PTT was willing for other oil traders to offer NGV services at their service stations if they were interested.
Currently, alternative energy is available in some service stations of Bangchak Petroleum Plc. Other oil traders, including Petronas, have shown interest in selling NGV at their service stations. Negotiations are under way.
This report probably doesn't refer to the Chana to Malaysia gas pipeline, as that was reported as onstream over a year ago. I guess it could refer to the pipeline for the Songkhla gas-fired Power Plant which is currently under construction NW of Chana. Or perhaps more likely, PTT has negotiated a branch pipeline to supply a nearby project of its own.
Let us know if you can provide some clarification to this report!:
18 May 2007
PTT gas pipeline expected to be completed within July
PTT Public Company Limited indicated construction of gas pipelines at Jana (จะนะ) district in Songkla (สงขลา) Province will be completed within July.
Villagers earlier arranged a protest against the construction of PTT’s gas pipeline at Jana district in Songkla province. Mr. Jitrapong Kwangsuksatit (จิตรพงษ์ กว้างสุขสถิตย์), the PTT Deputy Managing Director said that PTT has already negotiated with those villagers.
Currently, the construction is 70-80% completed and expected to finish within the next two months.
http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255005180039
This report probably doesn't refer to the Chana to Malaysia gas pipeline, as that was reported as onstream over a year ago. I guess it could refer to the pipeline for the Songkhla gas-fired Power Plant which is currently under construction NW of Chana. Or perhaps more likely, PTT has negotiated a branch pipeline to supply a nearby project of its own.
Let us know if you can provide some clarification to this report!:
http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255005180039
Villages protest against Thai-Malaysian gas pipeline project
SONGKHLA - Protesters Saturday condemned those involved in the Thai-Malaysian gas pipeline project in Songkhla's Chana district for ignoring a request by the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) to temporarily suspend the laying of the pipeline from a gas separation plant to Chana power plant.
In their statement, the demonstrators insisted they had the right to oppose the development project, which involves Chana power plant and a pier serving the pipeline, along with a planned 21,465-rai industrial estate, but many protesters were harassed by government officials and face legal action.
The Chana gas-separation plant, pipelines and power plant affected locals in various ways including a breach of Islamic principles by the laying of the pipeline through what they call holy soil near Ban Pa Ngam mosque, along with sewage and foul smells from the gas-separation plant. This prompted 300 Ban Pa Ngam villagers to file a complaint on May 12 with ISOC chief of staff Maj-General Chamlong Khunsong, who sent a written request on May 16 to PTT to suspend the project, the statement said.
Despite its privatisation, PTT still has power over government officials, the statement said, noting that PTT and the Songkhla governor had set up a committee composed of people who support or have interests in the distribution of gas to Chana power plant according to the Office of Natural Resources and Environment Policy and Planning guidelines. The protesters reject this committee's solutions. The Chana district chief has also sent border-patrol police to help the project work, they said.
Declaring the behaviour of the Songkhla governor and Chana district chief attempts to suppress dissent for the company's gain, the statement praised the ISOC's understanding of the issue and regard for the country's benefit, peace and security.
The group condemned PTT's dismissal of the ISOC request and vowed to protect their rights, lifestyle and religion from attack by PTT, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, the Songkhla governor and the Chana district chief.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30034646
Villages protest against Thai-Malaysian gas pipeline project
SONGKHLA - Protesters Saturday condemned those involved in the Thai-Malaysian gas pipeline project in Songkhla's Chana district for ignoring a request by the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) to temporarily suspend the laying of the pipeline from a gas separation plant to Chana power plant.
In their statement, the demonstrators insisted they had the right to oppose the development project, which involves Chana power plant and a pier serving the pipeline, along with a planned 21,465-rai industrial estate, but many protesters were harassed by government officials and face legal action.
The Chana gas-separation plant, pipelines and power plant affected locals in various ways including a breach of Islamic principles by the laying of the pipeline through what they call holy soil near Ban Pa Ngam mosque, along with sewage and foul smells from the gas-separation plant. This prompted 300 Ban Pa Ngam villagers to file a complaint on May 12 with ISOC chief of staff Maj-General Chamlong Khunsong, who sent a written request on May 16 to PTT to suspend the project, the statement said.
Despite its privatisation, PTT still has power over government officials, the statement said, noting that PTT and the Songkhla governor had set up a committee composed of people who support or have interests in the distribution of gas to Chana power plant according to the Office of Natural Resources and Environment Policy and Planning guidelines. The protesters reject this committee's solutions. The Chana district chief has also sent border-patrol police to help the project work, they said.
Declaring the behaviour of the Songkhla governor and Chana district chief attempts to suppress dissent for the company's gain, the statement praised the ISOC's understanding of the issue and regard for the country's benefit, peace and security.
The group condemned PTT's dismissal of the ISOC request and vowed to protect their rights, lifestyle and religion from attack by PTT, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, the Songkhla governor and the Chana district chief.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30034646
UP IN ARMS OVER PIPELINE
One old lady vows not to give up land despite pressures
Published on July 22, 2007
Having spent most of her 68 years hard at work in rice fields and rubber plantations and raising six children, Noh Hadyumsa thought her labours of love were over.
But today her toughest challenge is just starting: defending her home.
"The last time they trespassed, my children and I lay down in their way. This time they brought the police to stop us," the grandmother says.
"It cut me to the quick, but I can't cry. How can they do this to me and my family?" she asks.
If Noh's land were not on the route of the controversial Thai-Malaysia gas pipeline, this dispute would probably pass unnoticed by the rest of the country.
But demanding her departure is Trans Thai-Malaysia, a joint venture building the mighty pipeline.
Noh's 10 rai is the only land the joint venture has not gobbled up on the pipeline's route from a gas-separation plant to a turbine at Ban Pa Ngarm in Songkhla's Chana district.
She has rejected the joint venture's offers to buy the land or rent it. "It is my home, my property; a legacy from my late husband. I want to give it to my children. How can they force me to sell it?" Noh asks.
She tells The Nation the joint venture has tried everything to get her to vacate, including threats to her and her family members.
Nikhor, a daughter, felt sorrow when on Monday she watched her mother fight off about 50 joint-venture construction workers. The noise of the digging woke the family.
"My children and I were in tears as we watched her rushing almost naked with a kitchen knife at the workers and shouting at the top of her voice," Nikhor recalls.
Noh and 10 grandchildren started guarding their land around the clock two weeks ago after learning the joint venture's construction schedule had their precious plot in its sights.
"I am very angry and understand how this unfairness hurts. The district chief, who should help us as residents of the district, takes the side of these intruders. "He also brought in the police, who are paid for with our taxes, to protect the interests of big business that cheats us," Nikhor says.
After the joint venture failed to negotiate a deal with Noh it decided to run the pipeline under the land without her permission. The digging continues today.
Chana district chief Prasit Wisutjinda says Noh's determination not to sell or compromise is "a nuisance and disturbing".
But fellow villager Wakob Lamsoh, 66, said: "It's upsetting and shameful. A top officer of the district should at least know where the root of the conflict is. This project will hurt our district, and he is expected to protect us.
"First, the pipeline runs through the middle of our village. It makes us insecure. Who knows that there won't be any sabotage by militants? The pipeline is only 100 metres from the mosque," he said.
"Second, the pipeline has changed our way of life and livelihoods. It blocks our fishing boats, and that means there is less fish," he said.
But Wakob is concerned the project divides his peaceful community and its traditional Muslim life.
"After the project poured money into the village our community divided into two, those who accepted money and those who foresaw the impact on the community and opposed it.
"The worst part is the divided families," Wakob says. "Construction has brought alcohol, drug use and gambling into our community, too. The money the joint venture injected encourages many to reject good Muslim ways and do bad and forbidden things," he says.
Rorfed Hadyumsa is another member of Noh's family and a village committee member. He says the divide reaches the local authority and religious leadership.
"The imam cannot teach others as his children themselves have gone against what he preaches, all because of this project," he says.
Sulaida Tohlee, 55, a cousin and mother of three living nearby travelled to join Noh's guard.
"My village was affected by the power-plant construction, too. It is just 200 metres from our community. It's built on swamp that was natural flood prevention.
"We will be hit badly in the wet season," she predicts.
"One day on my way to Noh's a man I didn't know with a gun threatened me if I didn't stop our opposition. He even fired a shot," she added.
"I suspect this is just the beginning. The worst part will be the arrival of other industries which will change our way of life for ever," she says.
Surat Saejung works for the Healthy Community Development Project in Songkhla. She says the dispute is deepening.
"Conflicts grow when local authorities take a stance supporting the project and force affected villagers to submit to the inevitable even when they refuse to. It will leave deep wounds," Surat says.
"Villagers don't trust their government. First it said there would be only a pipeline and a gas-separation plant. Now it says a power plant and other industries are planned despite these promises," she explains.
Ban Pa Ngarm is one of eight villages in Chana that have formed an alliance against the pipeline.
In the past year the alliance has protested to authorities from the tambon administration organisation to the Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) and the Army to the National Human Rights Commission.
The tambon administration rejected the joint venture's construction requests in October last year. The Army has asked it to halt construction to allow further consultation, as has the commission. The PTT responded by giving more money to the village through the headman and other government offices, it is alleged.
Noh has no intention of giving up. Last week, she says, workers dumped drilling waste on her land, ruining her vegetable garden.
Nikhor and Rorfed hinted at legal action.
"If there's no other way to stop them I'll take my own spade to their pipeline and dig it up myself," Noh says.
Kamol Sukin
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/07/22/headlines/headlines_30041891.php
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/07/22/headlines/headlines_30041891.php
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/08/13/p1news/images/30044851-01.jpg
[Photo: The Nation - A group of activists and local villagers hang banners onto a pedestrian flyover in Songkhla's Chana district on Monday to protest the latest phase of the Thai-Malaysia gas pipeline project. They invited people to a seminar on the issue at the Prince of Songkhla University in Hat-Yai later this month.]
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/08/13/p1news/images/30044851-01.jpg
[Photo: The Nation - A group of activists and local villagers hang banners onto a pedestrian flyover in Songkhla's Chana district on Monday to protest the latest phase of the Thai-Malaysia gas pipeline project. They invited people to a seminar on the issue at the Prince of Songkhla University in Hat-Yai later this month.]
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/08/14/p1news/images/30044900-01.jpg
[Photo:The Nation - Activists and villagers have hung banners on a pedestrian overpass over the bypass in Songkhla Province's Chana District, advertising a seminar on the controversial Thai-Malaysia gas-pipeline at Songkhla Nakharin University (PSU) in Hat-Yai on August 27.]
Appeals Court rules acquits 19 pipeline protesters
SONGKHLA - The Appeal Court Region 9 Friday dismissed charges against 19 protesters who were arrested during a clash with the police over the Thai-Malaysian gas pipeline project near JB Hatyai Hotel five years ago.
The Appeal Court upheld the lower court's ruling on grounds that the defendants' gathering on the day was peaceful, open and unarmed and should be protected by the National Constitution 1997's article 44 which was in effect at the time.
The 19 protesters faced lawsuits on 4 charges: creating unrest in a public place, injuring on-duty officials, destroying public property and obstructing officials following the clash on December 2002 at Juti-Boonsung Uthit 400 metres from the hotel, where the then prime minister was to attend a Cabinet meeting.
The lower court on December 30, 2004, dismissed the lawsuit.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30047283
ISLAMIC LAW SNAGS PIPELINE
A row over sacred land in Songkhla intensifies
Published on January 20, 2008
The spectre of Islamic religious land law, or waguf, has returned to haunt the Bt40-billion Thailand-Malaysia gas pipeline being built in the South.
The office of the spiritual head of Muslims in Thailand, Chularajmontri, last week admitted its ruling in favour of the project several years ago had been based on incomplete information.
Back in 2003, it ruled that there was no proof the project was being built on land subject to waguf, as claimed by opponents.
Waguf is a religious code that defines land that is supposed to be solely used by community members.
Most importantly, land subject to the code cannot be sold, transferred or given to others.
Many Muslim residents of the southern province of Songkhla oppose the project because 7 rai of the sprawling 400-rai consumed by the pipeline is subject to the code.
According to Islamic law, it cannot be used by the massive infrastructure project.
Project owner Trans Thai-Malaysia, or TTM, won approval from the office of the Chularajmontri to use the 7 rai. The land was swapped for a similar plot elsewhere.
A representative of the office said an expert committee had approved the deal, following a site visit.
"We found nobody at the site, so we visited the police and then returned," Imam Karim Abdulloh, an assistant of Chularajmontri, told hundreds of Muslims at Bangkok's Kamalul Mosque on Thursday.
The meeting was organised by Songkhla and Khlong Samwa Muslim communities, and the National Human Rights Commission.
Songkhla's Chana district residents wanted to know the details of the site visit. Karim admitted he and team members had gone to the wrong site in 2003.
At the time, the site was called Larn Hoi Siab, and local residents insisted it was not the land in question.
"If this new information is valid, our ruling could be amended. We should conduct a review. Can the Songkhla Muslims file a complaint through the local Muslim office?" Karim said.
Hundreds of Songkhla Muslims agreed to a review, but not in the way suggested.
"We will not repeat our mistake. We have been complaining to the local Muslim office for years, and nothing's happened. Right now, we can talk with Chularajmontri's office. Why go backwards?" Chem Sa-u, the leader of the local group calling for the return of the site, said.
"We want Chularajmontri to answer us now about how his office will handle this mistake, and when," another villager said.
The meeting ended with the promise of more talks the next day, and a concrete commitment.
On Friday, Chularajmontri delegated Hakim Abdulkasim to meet the Songkhla Muslims and agree to a review of the ruling within a week.
However, Hakim excused himself before the end of the meeting, saying he must attend afternoon prayers.
"I have been instructed by Chularajmontri's senior officials to end further negotiations," he told the Songkhla people later.
"We never thought we would be treated like this by our top religious organisation," one villager said.
Muslim expert Babonu Yeekabgee said the disputed pipeline land was "a sensitive issue" and would be a major test of Chularajmontri's integrity.
"According to village evidence, the land is subject to the waguf code. It is the duty of Chularajmontri to investigate and reverse the previous ruling," Babonu said.
Lawyer Yaowalak Anuphan, a member of the rights commission's subcommittee handling the dispute, said: "Several family members and witnesses insist the 7-rai site was donated decades ago."
Yaowalak suggested it be returned to the community. "Religious land is one of the most sensitive issues for a Muslim community.
"To ignore it could lead to conflict in the area, which we certainly do not want to see," she said.
"The admission of Chularajmontri's representative of a past mistake is a good sign the matter can be resolved," she added.
However, the pipeline project will be affected if the plot is returned, because it is part of a larger plot that will be used to build a gas-separation plant.
TTM officials were unavailable for comment.
The pipeline project will be 255-kilometres long when completed, and will bring offshore gas to a joint-development area and the separation plant in Chana district. It will then be distributed in Thailand and Malaysia via pipe.
The project has faced serious opposition from local residences for decades.
The Thaksin Shinawatra government approved it in 2002, when construction began. It is 80 per cent complete.
"It's good, at least, that we know which side Chularajmontri takes. We will not stop our movement, and will do everything to get our land back," Chem said.
Kamol Sukin
The Nation
Rather than provide you with dozens of links, I suggest you just search for the term 'pipeline' in this thread - to learn some of the long and convoluted history of this jinxed project. I don't imagine for one minute you will understand much of it.:cool:
khunmarc
22-01-08, 11:54 PM
I work in the gas field of Northern bc canada pipeline dont bring jobs and prosperity well maybe for a real short time until completion after that there is little maintenance but not hundreds of jobs and stuff like that
here where I about 20 people work in the production part of the process
I bet once completed half them jobs will go to farangs anyway... if they can build a short of 'green zone" down there to keep them secure
as of protesters are worried for nothing..... well you never can be too worried when you give profit oriented corporation the whole authorithy on our land air and water
but hell of course the biggy will win !!!
:mad:
And yet another humorous utterance by our beloved semi-dictator, also to be found on the MCOT website today......
Sadly, he couldn't elaborate on who they are and what kind of interests they have.
By the way, Khun Thaksin, heartfelt congratulations on increasing the wealth of the Shinawatra family by 70% during the last year!
PM accuses pipeline protestors of vested interests
BANGKOK, Dec 19, (TNA) – Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra today lashed out at opponents of the Thai-Malaysian gas pipeline project, accusing some of the protestors of having vested interests.
Saying that local people were ‘unnecessarily scared’ of the consequences of the project, he noted that the Cabinet had already passed a resolution banning downstream industries from the site.
Instead, he said, the pipeline would bring prosperity and jobs to an improverished region.
While promising to listen to both sides of the dispute, he said that some of the leaders of the protest against the pipeline had vested interests. However, he refused to explain his allegations in more detail, saying he was afraid of facing libel charges. (TNA)-E006
Chana pipeline protest man cleared
Published on January 24, 2008
A young man with the Thai-Malaysian gas pipeline protest group in Songkhla's Chana district was yesterday cleared by the Appeal Court of all charges arising from a clash with police more than five years ago.
Phuwit Tohlee was accompanied by his parents, attorney Saengchai Rattanaseriwong from the Lawyers Council of Thailand and some 50 fellow demonstrators to hear the Region 9 Appeal Court read its verdict in the morning.
On November 11, 2003, some 100 police, providing security for the gas pipeline project's workers, forcefully dispersed a group of protesters in front of Lan Hoi Seab Mosque.
Phuwit, then 19, was assaulted by police until he passed out and was arrested, reportedly after he used his camera to take pictures of police hitting protesters.
The Songkhla Youth and Family Court had sentenced Phuwit to pay a Bt16,100 fine and serve two-and-a-half years in jail for crimes including obstructing public officials on duty, assaulting officials and disturbing the peace.
Then the court reduced the sentence to a two-year suspended jail term and one year on probation on grounds he had no criminal record and was injured in the confrontation.
Lawyer Saengchai said the justice system often viewed disputes between authorities and members of the public as the prosecution witnesses giving harmonious accounts and the officials having no previous conflicts with, thus holding no bias against, the defendants, when that was not necessarily true.
"In this case, the officials as witnesses admitted they had a duty to provide security for the project workers and got paid from the project. So it was highly unlikely that they held a neutral view of the protesters' actions. The state witnesses also gave contradictory testimony," he said.
Noppadol Petcharat
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/01/24/national/national_30063268.php
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