A local activist is asking the government to set aside prime agricultural plots known as "red-yolk" plots to reduce the environmental impact of the regime's flagship Eastern Economic Corridor Project (EEC).
Local conservationist and farmer Sarayoot Sonraksa, said the Khlong Luang plain -- which is connected to Chachoengsao's Bang Pakong River -- is one of the most ecologically-diverse and fertile areas in the country and needs to be protected.
"The low-lying plain straddles Chon Buri and Chachoengsao, and the combination of fresh and salty water around the estuary makes the area especially rich in natural resources and marine animals," he said.
Mr Sarayoot is not the only local farmer to grow rice and practice seasonal aquaculture on the fertile plains.
"My family has farmed these plains for a century, and I am the third generation of farmers who have worked on these fields," he said.
Mr Sarayoot said the Khlong Luang plain must be protected as it has been legally-designated as a prime and protected agricultural area.
"The plain doesn't only feed those in its immediate vicinity, but also elsewhere, even beyond Thailand," he added.
"Khao Din is known for its fragrant strains of rice that are well-loved by farmers in other provinces," he added.
"Meanwhile, there are many fisheries and shrimp farms in Nong Tin Nok."
The activist said that the area's fertility and biodiversity have been under threat since the junta invoked Section 44 to establish the EEC, which will see most of the fertile fields transformed into a concrete, industrial zone.
"The previous urban planning masterplan protected these fields from indiscriminate development -- but it was quickly annulled a few months after King Rama IX passed away," said Mr Sarayoot.
As a result, land brokers came scrambling to look for lands which a decade ago, cannot be put up for sale until the military took office.
"Most estates now belong to industrial tycoons," he said.
Mr Sarayoot also drew attention to the fact that no one was ever consulted about the project, and that no one has never seen the project's Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) being carried out.
However, the EEC said that the required EIA process was followed, and no public input was ignored when the project was being envisioned.
Tasanee Kiatpatraporn, deputy secretary-general of the EEC office, said industrial estates are required to conduct EIAs.
"We never compromise because we have no intention to harm the environment," she said. "However, we did 'streamline' processes that we consider as overlapping to speed up the project."
Ms Tasanee said the decision to streamline several processes under the EIA was taken to ensure that the project can be constructed as soon as possible.
"We streamlined several urban zoning rules across Chachoengsao, Chon Buri and Rayong to expedite the process, and the new rules will be announced in October," she said, before adding that the urban zoning rules will not encroach on environmentally-sensitive areas.
"We only focus on areas that can be used for industrial developments," she said.
"The Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning will also put in the required infrastructure -- such as railways and motorways -- before the area in question becomes officially designated as a 'purple' or industrial zone."
Ms Tasanee promises that the impact of the EEC on the environment will be kept at a minimum.
"The office is looking to closely monitor the suitability of factories and their locations to minimise the undesirable consequences to the local environment," she said.
The deputy director-general also urged the public to seize business opportunities around the area because the EEC's project is expected to draw in massive amounts of local and foreign capital.
"It will take time to see tangible results because the scheme is still taking shape. However, they should get on this train because we don't know when the next one will come," she said.