PM orders explanation on new coal-fired power project in Thai South

BANGKOK, July 22 (TNA) - Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha has ordered the Ministry of Energy to explain the necessity of a new coal-fired power plant in Krabi Province in the Thai South to local people who are concerned over impacts from the project. The prime minister's order responded to Krabi's people and activists who oppose the new power project. The prime minister insisted on Wednesday that Thailand needs other fuels for electricity generating to reduce national dependence on imported oil and gas, which would be more expensive and cause higher electricity fees in the future. The prime minister told journalists that the law requires the Thai Ministry of Energy to provide people with sufficient electricity, while power demand in the Thai South now reaches 3,000 megawatts but power supply now stands only at 800 megawatts. The prime minister admitted that without additional power plants, people in the Thai South may face higher electricity fees in the foreseeable future. To allay concerns of local people in Krabi, the prime minister suggested that their representatives be led by officials to see the similar and safe Mae Moh coal-fired power plant in Lampang Province in the Thai North, where local people have not been affected. Regarding a plan of the state-run Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) to organize a bidding contest for the Krabi power plant project on August 5, the prime minister noted that concerned authorities are doing their normal work, but if there was not a public hearing and opposition remained, the bidding contest could not happen. Meanwhile, opponents to the new coal-fired power plant project in Krabi vowed to continue their rallying protest near Bangkok's Government House until the project was scrapped, asking the prime minister to listen to all stakeholders. Thai Energy Minister Narongchai Akaraseranee announced, in the meantime, that his ministry will proceed with the new coal-fired power project in Krabi, while also explaining the need for implementing the project to local opponents for their proper understanding and listening to their opinions through public forums to be organized in the Thai South. The Thai energy minister insisted on local people's benefits from the new coal-fired power project, as they will not face any risk of insufficient power supply or any energy insecurity after the new coal-fired power plant in Krabi starts its operations. According to the energy minister, an environmental and health impact assessment (EHIA) on the coal-fired power plant in the southern Thai province is underway. (TNA)