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dam-l LS: Thai PM's Office Minister refuses to discuss dam
Bangkok Post June 9, 2000
DAM CONFLICT
Savit refuses to discuss dam
Turns down House request to show up
PM's Office Minister Savit Bhodivihok yesterday came under fire for his
failure to appear before the House administrative affairs committee to
clarify aspects of the Pak Moon dam controversy.
Deputy chairman Virat Tayangkanon said the minister, who is in charge of
the electricity generating authority (Egat), had turned down a request to
discuss and explain the issue.
Angry members of the Forum of the Poor burn an effigy of Sanit Kulcharoen,
chairman of the House committee on environment, outside parliament. They
accuse him of siding with the electricity authority in pushing for the
construction of Pong Khunpetch dam in Chaiyaphum province. _ SOMCHAI
LAOPAISARNTAKSIN
The committee was especially interested in the fish ladder, which
protesters claim is a total flop in helping fish move upstream from the
Mekong River to their natural spawning areas in the Moon river.
Mr Virat said Mr Savit, like Egat, should be held accountable for the
failure of the fish ladder.
The panel would ask House Speaker Wan Muhamad Nor Matha to issue a formal
reprimand to the minister if he continued to refuse the request.
Dam protesters, led by the Forum of the Poor, have occupied a parking lot
at Pak Moon dam in Ubon Ratchathani since May 15, demanding Egat open the
spillways.
Mr Virat said the committee had heard testimony from several people,
including Egat representatives and the Ubon Ratchathani deputy governor.
© Copyright The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. 2000
Last Modified: Fri, Jun 9, 2000
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