Confrontation over Pakbara Seaport Project in Thai South

SATUN, THAILAND, March 16 (TNA) - Negotiations by security officers to reclaim the public hearing venue of the Pakbara Deep Seaport Project from protesters have failed, leading to a minor scuffle on Thursday. Over 500 anti-riot police, soldiers and volunteers have been deployed to the Ban Pakbang School in La-ngu District of Satun Province in the Thai South, the venue of the public hearing forum of the deep seaport project, after opponents seized the venue overnight. The protesting opponents blocked the security officers from entering the area, leading to the minor scuffle. Senior police officers and those of the Marine Department have failed to convince the opponents to let the public hearing take place. The protesting leaders have refused to talk and demanded the cancellation of the public hearing and the review of the Environmental Health Impact Assessment (EHIA) of the controversial project. (TNA)