Power plant investments at the crossroads

Power plant investments at the crossroads

Protests on Bangkok pavements convinced the government to delay a decision on building a coal-fuelled power plant in Thepha district of Songkhla. (File photo)
Protests on Bangkok pavements convinced the government to delay a decision on building a coal-fuelled power plant in Thepha district of Songkhla. (File photo)

The Thepha coal-fired power plant conflict in Songkhla province of the South shows the public decision-making process in Thailand is in a serious coma.

Previous large-scale infrastructure initiatives, such as the Krabi power plant, the Mae Wong irrigation dam, or the more historic Kaeng Sue Ten irrigation dam were all put on hold owing largely to the failure of the public decision-making process.

Such failures are particularly evident in cases concerning large-scale investments that affect local communities and the environment.

Please log in here to fully view this exclusive content. If you aren't a member yet, simply sign up here. It's totally free & takes only a minute.

Adis Israngkura na Ayudya

Adviser of the Thailand Development Research Institute

Adis Israngkura na Ayudya, PhD, is an adviser of the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI). Policy analyses from the TDRI appear in the Bangkok Post on alternate Wednesday.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT (3)

Thousands flock to Khao Yai for long holiday

Thousands of travellers flocked to Khao Yai National Park for a long holiday from June 3-5, generating nearly 800,000 baht in revenue for the park from entrance fees, park chief Chaiya Huayhongthong revealed on Monday.

15:53

Trains resume service 51 hours after deadly India crash

BALASORE, India: Passenger and freight trains were running again on Monday at the site of India's deadliest train disaster in decades, which officials said was caused by failures linked to signal systems.

15:45

Prince Harry to make history with UK court testimony

LONDON: Prince Harry will become the first senior British royal to give evidence in court for more than a century when he testifies this week against a tabloid newspaper publisher.

13:45