Politics
Protesters Demand Halt to 70 Billion Baht Yuam River Diversion Project
Activists have petitioned the Thai government to suspend the massive Yuam River water diversion project, citing irregularities in the environmental impact assessment process.
According to a report by Thai Post, a group of activists has submitted a formal petition to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, calling for an immediate halt to the 70-billion-baht Yuam River water diversion project. The protesters argue that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the public consultation processes were conducted improperly.
In addition to the petition, the group has urged the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment to revoke permits allowing the use of forest land for the project. Local communities have also held a traditional 'spirit feeding' ceremony, known as 'Liang Phee Nam,' to advocate for the protection of the watershed forest area.
For residents and travelers, this development highlights ongoing tensions regarding large-scale infrastructure projects in Thailand's northern regions. While the project is intended to manage water resources, the opposition suggests that potential environmental and social impacts remain significant concerns. At this stage, it remains to be confirmed how the government will respond to these demands and whether the project will face a formal suspension or a review of its environmental compliance. No official timeline for a government response has been announced.
