Sukhothai villagers oppose biomass power plant

Sukhothai villagers oppose biomass power plant

A group of villagers rally on Sunday against a plan to build a biomass plant in Sri Samrong district in Sukhothai. (Photo by Phubet Faithes)
A group of villagers rally on Sunday against a plan to build a biomass plant in Sri Samrong district in Sukhothai. (Photo by Phubet Faithes)

SUKHOTHAI: Villagers in Ban Ko Mai Daeng in Si Samrong district of this central province have voiced opposition to a plan to build a biomass power plant in their village, saying they fear environmental effects.

Some of the villagers on Sunday erected large billboards at 40 spots all over the village to campaign against the plan.

Sombat Chuphan, 55, a village representative leading the campaign, told reporters that the majority of the villagers do not want a biomass power plant built in their community for fear that roads would be damaged by trucks transporting renewable materials, mainly husks from grain mills and chipped wood, to the villlage.

Mr Sombat said the villagers are also afraid that smoke and ash from the burning biomass could cause them to suffer from allergies, lung ailments or even cancer. It might also affect the productivity of rice fields and sugarcane plantations, he added.

"We oppose the project for the sake of our children. We don't want them to be in danger. The money for making the billboards has come from donations of 50, 100 or 200 baht each. We do not receive financial support from anyone," Mr Sombat said.

He did not give details to the reporters on whether the project was planned by a government agency or a private firm.

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