Thai protestors hit out at Singapore investment projects
Agence France Presse. Bangkok. April 4, 2000
AROUND 500 angry Thai villagers massed outside the Singapore embassy here on Tuesday, protesting against city-state investment projects they claim could cause serious environmental damage.
A group of villagers, from southern Prachuab Khirikhan province, hoped to deter Singapore investors from backing a coal-fired power station project.
Another group hailed from eastern Rayong province, determined to halt plans for an industrial estate alongside a reservoir which provides water for millions of people.
"We strongly object to the possible investment by Singapore Power International in the Hin Kraud coal power plant as it will affect us in many areas," Jintana Kaewkao, leader of Ban Hin Kruad Environmental Conservation Group told AFP.
Villagers have pledged to protest until Singapore Power International pulls its 50 billion baht (US$1.26 billion) stake out of the project.
"They have not yet approved their investment -- that's why we are here, we came to convince them they will face huge losses with this project," Jintana said.
Two other foreign investors, from Finland and the United States, have have already pulled out of the plant over the protests.
The Rayong protestors want to stop a joint Thai-Singapore bid to develop an industrial estate.
The planned park is a 700-million-dollar joint venture between Singapore's state-owned Jurong Town Corp. and Thailand's private sector.
Protesters claim the park will pollute their water supplies and environment as it will be situated on a main reservior serving millions of people.
"Villagers want a say in what industries we develop not just the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB)," Jintana said.
Singapore firms have agressively invested in Thai telecommunications and banking ventures following the financial crisis which erupted in mid 1997.