Thai PM urged to solve water problem in Thailand's east

BANGKOK, March 31 (TNA) - Members of the Eastern People Network Group have appealed to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra for help to solve water pollution from the disposal of chemical waste into canals. Amid tight security by police, the group went on to submit their complaint letter to Yingluck, who was in the eastern province of Chachoengsao for a mobile cabinet meeting. They reportedly told the prime minister that people living in Phanom Sarakham district had been unable to consume water. They said the Industrial Works Department had received their complaint eight months ago but nothing had been done to rectify the situation. Meanwhile, Yingluck announced Sunday of a plan to develop Chachoengsao into a knowledge centre of ASEAN and also a tourist destination. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittirat Na-Ranong added that the Joint Public-Private Sector Consultative Committee had been working on infrastructure development plans for the province, for implementation before 2015, including on telecommunications, logistics and roads construction. (TNA)