A group of activists against plans to set up an industrial estate in Chana district of Songkhla urged the government yesterday to call a forum to listen to dissenting views.
The request comes after a previous plea by activists to discuss the matter with the chief of the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre (SBPAC) went unanswered, said Rakchat Suwan, president of the group calling itself the Civil Society Council of Southernmost Thailand.
On Wednesday, meanwhile, a rally was held in protest against Suphat Hasuwannakit -- director of Chana District Hospital -- who is a key opponent of the Chana industrial estate project, Mr Rakchat said.
The rally was a warning sign of the ever-growing conflict between groups who support the project and oppose it, he added.
According to the group, a public forum organised by the SBPAC has been called for tomorrow for supporters of the project.
The group said it had learned that security forces are being mobilised to stop project opponents from travelling to attend the forum.
Banyan Waemanor, son of Abdulloh Waemanor, leader of the Barisan Revolusi Nasional Melayu Patani (BRN) insurgent group, posted on his Facebook on Wednesday that some police officials had visited him at his home.
The police have accused him of being one of the key leaders of the protest movement against the Chana industrial estate project, which he denies.
However, he claimed that if the project affects villagers, he will be willing to join the movement.
Meanwhile, Bundit Krivijitr, a lecturer with the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the Prince of Songkla University (PSU), said an information operation has been carried out to portray a link between movements against the Chana industrial estate project and the BRN.
He said he is one of the people accused of being connected to the BRN simply because he is opposed to the Chana project.
The lecturer along with 10 other academics at the university campaigning against the project want the government to reverse the cabinet's resolution agreeing in principle with the project.
Kua Rittiboon, another PSU academic who is part of the opposition campaign, said the government had better cancel the public forum planned for tomorrow to avoid fuelling conflicts. This large-scale project requires a more thorough study before it is implemented, she said.
Chanathan Saengphum, deputy secretary-general of the SBPAC, insisted the Chana industrial estate project is aimed at creating jobs and improving security in the region.
The project is still undergoing a process in which public opinion from various parties is being collected, which is important before any implementation can begin, he said.
The SBPAC is only responsible for compiling opinions about the project, he added.