A local group protesting against a waste power plant project in Pathum Thani has vowed to apply more pressure after the Energy Regulatory Commission of Thailand shrugged off their demands to scrap the project.
Residents of Chiang Rak Yai community in Pathum Thani's Sam Khok district, gathered at the Energy Regulatory Commission of Thailand's head office on Wednesday to express their displeasure.
"It is clear the authority will move the project forward without listening to us. We will not stop our protests and will work with our allies, including Thammasat University, to stop it," Thaweesak In-Kwang, a leader of the group, said.
The government has promoted the power plant, saying it hopes unwanted waste in the area can be turned into energy.
Residents oppose the project, however, as they are worried a large volume of garbage will be dumped nearby their houses.
Chiang Rak Yai community is one of them. They protested against three proposed power plants with a capacity of 25 megawatts covering an area of 140 rai, which will collect all garbage from the province to turn into energy.
The locals in this province adjacent to Bangkok fear their farming areas will be affected as a result of polluted underground water from the waste. They are also worried raw water sources for tap water production might be affected.
Thammasat University, which has its Rangsit campus less than two kilometres away from the site, also expressed its concern.
Mr Thaweesak said he was disappointed with the commission's response.
It said the project has been approved by the local administrative organisation and the provincial authorities so it can go ahead.
He also quoted the authority as saying the company which will run the project would have the direct responsibility of dealing with the local concerns about the environment and health impacts.
The locals said more than 20,000 people living in six tambon near the plant will be affected by the project. Meanwhile, the Energy Regulatory Commission is in the process of approving the waste power plant's licence.