The Chao Phya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital Foundation on Wednesday asked the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to investigate the "damaging impact" of PTT's drilling for an underground gas pipeline on its herb farm in Prachin Buri province.
Supaporn Pitiporn, secretary-general of the Chao Phya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital Foundation, shows mud-spill from drilling at its herb farm in Prachin Buri on Monday. (Photo by Tawatchai Khemgumnerd)
It asked that PTT be forced to relocate its pipeline.
Pharmacist Supaporn Pitiporn, secretary-general of the foundation, filed the complaint with human rights commissioner Niran Pitakwatchara.
It is alleged that horizontal drilling for the pipeline's route had caused mud — bentonite — to spill on to two rai of its farm where about 70 rare herbs were being grown in Noen Hom sub-district of Muang Prachin Buri district. The incident happened in January.
She said the foundation did not want any compensation from PTT, but demanded the company reroute its pipeline. The Prachin Buri governor has called representatives of both sides to a meeting on Feb 5.
"It's not just Abhaibhubejhr, many villagers do not want to allow PTT to drill through their land, even though PTT claimed that it would not affect land use.
"So, I would like the rights commissioners to find out the facts in the field," Ms Supaporn said.
Commissioner Niran said the NHRC would look into whether the PTT gas pipeline affected community rights, and whether locals were well-informed of the activity.
"The rights commission will evaluate the damage. The issue is urgent as damage happened and it is not known how PTT will solve the problem," the human rights commissioner said.