Villagers affected by petroleum exploration called on the state yesterday to halt bidding for its 21st petroleum concession for fear of damage to their livelihoods.
They also suggested the country shift from oil and gas concessions to a production-sharing system.
About 100 villagers from various regions spoke out during a public hearing held by a National Reform Council (NRC) sub-committee.
They said oil and gas exploration efforts in the past had led to gas leaks that damaged their health. Explosives let off in the exploration process had damaged their homes.
They also argued that giving concessions outright to oil and gas companies was tantamount to the nation surrendering ownership of its resources. Instead, they said, the state should shift to a production sharing system where the public retains ownership and a share in the profits from the exploitation of the resources.
Rosana Tositrakul, the sub-committee chairwoman and a member of the NRC's energy reform committee, said the results of this hearing, as well as those of two previous hearings with academics and the private sector, will be submitted to the NRC on Tuesday before going to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha for approval.
The 21st petroleum concession covers 29 blocks of exploration fields — 23 of them onshore (17 blocks in the Northeast and six in the North and Central regions) and six offshore (all in the Gulf of Thailand). Bids have to be submitted to the Mineral Fuels Department, Ministry of Energy, by Feb 18.
Villagers living near a petroleum exploration plot in Kalasin said hydrogen sulphur gas leaked from the plot leaving more than 20 villagers with respiratory problems. Detonations in Kalasin and Buri Ram caused cracks to villagers' homes and geographical changes in their rice fields.
"Public hearings are needed before the state calls for petroleum exploration bids, but often they fail to occur. The decision is made by the central government without getting the local community involved," said Chainarong Sretthachau, of Mahasarakham University.
Ms Rosana said some members of the NRC's energy reform panel favour a compromise where the state presses on with the bidding while working on production-sharing legislation.