The government and the Stop Global Warming Association have both lodged appeals against the Administrative Court's ruling to suspend the 350-billion-baht water management and flood prevention projects.
While the government is seeking to have the Administrative Court's ruling overturned, the environmental group is asking the judiciary to reconsider the group's petition, which calls for suspension of the schemes until thorough public hearings and environment impact studies (EIA) are completed.
Both appeals were submitted to the court on Thursday.
Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanchana, who heads a government committee scrutinising the court ruling, said the government's appeal covers every point discussed in the case, which was initiated by the Stop Global Warming Association and other plaintiffs.
Mr Phongthep expressed confidence that the legal dispute would not affect the implementation of the flood and water management scheme and said the government will make sure its implementation is in line with court recommendations.
"The government will proceed with the parts which are not affected by the court order," he said.
The Finance Ministry has already signed a contract for 324.6 billion baht in loans to finance the water projects in the wake of the ruling.
Stop Global Warming Association president Srisuwan Janya said the group is urging the court to thoroughly review its petition. The petition seeks the cancellation or suspension of the 350-billion-baht water management and flood prevention projects until proper procedures are followed.
The Administrative Court ruling, issued on June 27, states that public hearings must be conducted before contracts can be signed with the companies that won the bids to carry out the work.
Mr Srisuwan said the group's fresh move came after Deputy Prime Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi claimed public hearings could be completed in three months.
"It will turn out to be a public relations stunt, not public hearings. It will be useless," he said.
Mr Plodprasop is the chairman of the Water and Flood Management Commission, which oversees the implementation of the water management plan.
Mr Srisuwan said that thorough public hearings would allow the government to review and revise the schemes, which should then be followed by the EIA studies.
He also criticised Mr Plodprasop for saying some of the environmental impact reports conducted by the Royal Irrigation Department are ready for use.
Mr Srisuwan said the reports should be reviewed to determine if the information is up to date.
He called on the government to follow proper procedures, otherwise the water management scheme would trigger endless lawsuits.
"Complying with the law may take time, but it will help prevent damage," he said.