Samak: Opposition to new parliament foolish
Opponents of the plan to build a new parliament building in the Kiakkai area could stall the project by seeking the enforcement of the National Health Act, the secretary-general of the National Health Committee said yesterday. The law allows people to demand the government disclose information about the impact on their health of projects planned for their area, Ampol Chindawattana said.
People opposed to the relocation of Yothinburana school to clear the way for the new parliament could exercise their rights under the National Health Act, which took effect on March 20 last year.
Under articles 10 and 11 they could petition the state to divulge the details of projects that will affect their lives.
Article 10 states that any state agencies holding such information must disclose it and advise people how to best protect themselves from any health risk they may be exposed to. Article 11 stipulates that people have the right to, individually or collectively, seek or take part in the Health Impact Assessment study of any project which affects them.
State agencies must hear from people or communities who may be harmed by the projects the agencies initiate.
''The students and parents of Yothinburana school are entitled to their rights under this law,'' said Dr Ampol.
If the government did not pay attention to their concerns, people could petition the Administrative Court against the projects.
Dr Ampol gave his advice following protests by some Yothinburana students against the relocation of their school. Students complained they were being unfairly evicted.
The planned parliament complex would occupy 119 rai of land by the Chao Phraya river in Kiakkai area.
The land is currently occupied by agencies under the Defence Ministry, by Yothinburana school and residential communities.
The cabinet last month approved an initial compensation package of four billion baht for state-run agencies, the school and communities which would have to move.
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej yesterday shrugged off the protests of students and parents against the relocation of the school.
In his weekly television programme, Mr Samak said they were being irrational.
The school was now on eight rai of land and would be moved to a 16-rai block only 1,700 metres away from its present location, he said.
The government had promised to give one billion baht for construction of the new school, he said.
The Yothinburana Alumni Association yesterday said it would study the pros and cons of the parliament building project.
The move came after a group of some 20 students and parents met the association to explain their protest.
Association member Pornpat Rangsiyo said many former graduates were against the school being forced to move.
But the association was barred by law from joining any protest of a political nature.
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