SAMUT SONGKHRAM - Angry aquaculture farmers affected by polluted water three months ago blocked all lanes on Rama II Road, which runs through this central province, on Monday afternoon in protest over a subsidy delay, causing a traffic jam stretching over 10km.
About 500 fish and mussel raisers from Muang and Amphawa districts blocked the road leading to Samut Songkram township shortly before noon and demanded to meet governor Thanon Wetkonkanon.
Earlier, the group gathered at the provincial hall and threatened to block the road if authorities could not give a satisfactory explanation as to why they had yet to receive compensation despite waiting for almost three months.
Local farmers and fishermen want state assistance after vast numbers of fish and other marine animals being raised in floating baskets died following the deterioration of the quality of sea water in their neighbourhood late last year. Damage is estimated at 500 million baht, said the protest leader who gave his name as Srinuan.
They demand authorities conduct a probe into whether the polluted sea water was a natural or man-made phenomenon, such as wastewater being released from factories.
The group agreed to open the road and disperse late in the afternoon after meeting with Mr Thanon and Democrat MP for Samut Songkhram Rangsima Rodrasamee.
Mr Thanon told the demonstrators he faced difficulty in seeking compensation because relevant agencies – such as the Department of Fisheries, Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and Department of Marine and Coastal Resources – did not give a clear answer as to whether the incident was a natural or man-made disaster. This resulted in budgets not being approved by the Budget Bureau and other agencies.
However, he had asked for 83 million baht from the government and appealed to the protesters to wait a bit longer.
Ms Rangsima claimed she had raised the issue several times at parliamentary meetings but the government appeared not to pay attention to the problem.
She pledged to take the affected farmers to Government House on Tuesday and would pay their travel expenses. The group were satisfied and agreed to open the road. They will gather again at 6am Tuesday and Ms Rangsima will lead them to Bangkok.