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It is estimated that seawater pumping for cooling system will result in losses 5. The process of the Environmental Health Impact
of Phytoplanktons at 9 x 10 cells per second, Zooplanktons at 9 x 10 cells per Assessment (EHIA) report
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second, and 245 young fish per second. It is to be noted that the water pumping
will run 24/7. The potential impacts the proposed coal-fired power plant require the
The water used as coolant will be released back into the sea 2.5 kilometres Environmental Health Impact Assessment (EHIA). The Electricity Generating
away from the coast. The depth of the water at the end of the two pipes is 7.1 Authority of Thailand (EGAT) therefore hired the Consultants of Technology Co.,
Ltd. (COT) to undertake an EHIA analysis and produce a report. The company
metres. The temperature of the seawater at the end of the pipes will be increased
by not more than 3 degrees Celcius. has organised the following:
Sunday 2 November 2014: A public hearing forum for the drawing up of
Two ash ponds measuring 12 metres in depth with the highest level at 8
metres above sea level have been designed to collect the ash produced throughout EHIA’s scope and important points (public scoping).
the project’s life. The ponds take an area of 740 rais each with a capacity to hold February - June 2015: Public hearings for impact assessment of the project.
6 million cubic metres lined with leak proofing materials to prevent water leakage 27 July 2015: Public hearing for the review of the draft EHIA report, followed
to the environment. by the revised draft which was sent to the Office of Natural Resources and
Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP) for review from an expert committee.
4. Thepha town 17 August 2017: The appointed committee (of experts) resolved that the EHIA
report could be submitted to the National Environment Committee.
Thepha district in Songkhla province, is a coastal town at the mouth of the
Thepha river, with historical importance. It is rich in natural resources, especially The people in Thepha received information about the project for the first time
its forests, as well as its transportation advantages, thanks to its strategic location. at the public scoping stage. Following the notice, the communities that would be
This is due to the fact that the Thepha river originates in the Sakalakhiri mountain affected directly and indirectly and especially those who would be displaced from
range between Thailand and Malaysia and flows through to the Thai gulf at the their birthplace along with the local fishing people came together to form the
Thepha estuary. Thepha in the past, therefore, had a lot of shipyards for cargo “Network of Songkhla-Pattani People Against Coal”, and have continuously
ships and battleships because it was right in the middle between Songkhla and protested against the project. They were not allowed to participate in the public
Pattani who were engaged in frequent wars. Besides, Thepha was one of the review and to clarify to the EHIA Expert Review Committee. Finally, the Committee
Japanese army bases during World War II as is still evident today. approved the EHIA report for the submission to the National Environment Committee
for review which led to a directive to conduct a Community Health Impact
Thepha has ecological systems that are connected as ‘Khao Na Pa Le’ Assessment (CHIA).
(mountains, forests, rice farms and sea). The indigenous people of this area – Le
(sea) people and Chai Kuan people (Kuan in southern dialect means soil mountain
or hills) have been trading with each other for a long time. The Kuan people would 6. An inspiration for the Community Health Impact
bring forest produce and rice to sell or trade with Le people, especially for their Assessment (CHIA)
salt and dried seafood.
The country’s railway line to the South goes through Thepha. Rich with natural “Since my birth, I have lived in this invaluable environment which cannot be
resources Thepha was also a stop to refuel firewood, for the then steam bought by money. It is the purity of the environs, the beautiful sea, friendships,
locomotives–hence the long stopover in Thepha. The locals, both Buddhists and brotherhood, unique culture and traditions that are intrinsic values of Thepha which
Muslims in the Thepha market would, therefore, sell food to the passengers on cannot be compromised. Here, people have lived peacefully with each other
the trains. Foods would be sold in bowl-shaped banana leaf with different kinds regardless of their religion and faith. Thai Muslims and others have lived together
of curries, especially the green curry and the not-to-be-missed fried chicken. Thus, happily in Thepha. But divisions started appearing just at the first stage of the
the ‘Thepha-fried-chicken’ has been famous since those days. coal-fired power plant project. Misunderstandings led to uncertainty in our friendship
and fellowships. We depend on the sea to make a living. If the coal-fired power
The livelihoods of the people in Thepha until the present day has mainly plant project goes ahead we have no idea where we will be and how our lives will
centred around mixed agriculture and fishing. They grow a variety of local rice be. To be displaced from our ancestral homes is not a mere act of moving out – it
enough to feed people of the entire district. Integrated farming with rubber trees, is a collapse and destruction of communities along with our unique identities. I feel
coconuts used for curries, young aromatic coconuts, watermelons, pumpkins, anguished in trying to explain how it feels in words to those who have never been
pepper, limes, vegetables etc. is practised. Thepha’s wide-ranging geomorphological
attributes, arable lands and abundance of resources have made it a suitable and
preferred habitat for communities to settle in for hundreds of years.
