The Network of Thai People in Eight Mekong Provinces has announced it will boycott the final round of consultation for the controversial Don Sahong dam in Laos.
Niwat Roi-kaew, a key network member, said his group saw no benefits from joining the forum in Bangkok as it cannot answer locals' concerns over the environmental and livelihood impacts from the project.
He said the network opposes the dam construction along the Mekong as it will have a major impact on over 60 million people living along the river.
"The consultation process is just like a ceremony to accredit the project," he said.
The last consultation round in Thailand, organised by the Water Resources Department, will be held at the Army Club in Bangkok tomorrow after previous rounds in several provinces since September, including Ubon Ratchathani, Amnat Charoen, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Nong Khai, Bung Kan, Loei and Chiang Rai.
According to the Mekong River Commission, the consultation meetings are being organised in all Mekong basin countries affected by the project.
"I am very upset that the forum will be conducted at a military venue," Mr Niwat said.
It shows the department lacks sincerity in collecting opinions from participants and stakeholders, he added.
"The military place cannot offer an atmosphere of freedom of expression," Mr Niwat said.
Civic groups and environmental activists in Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand had fiercely pressured the Lao government over the project's development and the consultation process. But they believe their complaints are falling on deaf ears as the authorities have already decided the project should go ahead.
Pianporn Deetes, Thailand Campaign Coordinator for International Rivers, called on the Lao government to extend the period of consultation to ensure information gathering was complete.
She said the information obtained so far is still incomplete and lacks details about the environmental impact of the project.