Bangkok:Residents of Chanthaburi province have made their way to Government House to deliver a petition with 20,000 signatures opposing the construction of the Khlong Wang Tonod reservoir. The protestors argue that the project would not benefit the local community, would lead to the destruction of forests, and would adversely affect the livelihoods of local farmers.
According to Thai News Agency, the Rak Chan group, led by Mr. Pacharadanai Jaithiang, along with villagers from Chanthaburi, arrived at Government House to join forces with Kamnan Mano's group. They submitted a letter to the Cabinet voicing their opposition to the reservoir's construction. Mr. Somphat Nilphan, advisor to the Permanent Secretary of the Prime Minister's Office, accepted the letter on behalf of the Cabinet.
The Rak Chan group's leader emphasized that they represent the people of Chanthaburi province and are responding to the Cabinet's approval on August 5th for the reservoir's construction. The local community has consistently opposed the project, gathering 20,000 signatures to express their dissent. They claim that the reservoir would not benefit Chanthaburi residents and would destroy the cherished natural resources within Khao 15 Chan National Park.
Mr. Santi Tansrisakul, a durian farmer from Chanthaburi, noted that previous reservoirs built by the government supplied water to the Eastern Economic Corridor in Chonburi and Rayong provinces. These reservoirs have resulted in flooding during the rainy season, damaging homes and orchards in Chanthaburi. He expressed concern over the high costs of growing durian and the expensive water prices for irrigation during dry seasons. The residents suggest using the 7.2 billion baht budget to manage existing reservoirs more effectively instead of constructing a new one.
Additionally, the reservoir construction has led to conflicts between people and wild elephants. The loss of habitat forced elephants to forage in villagers' fields, leading to the poisoning of fruit and the deaths of 11 elephants. This highlights the negative impacts of the reservoir on local wildlife.
Chanthaburi province has over 900,000 rai of orchards across its 10 districts, with floods affecting 8 of them. Farmers are concerned about their survival if such conditions persist. They urge the government to focus on other developmental areas, such as reducing fuel and electricity costs, providing fertilizer subsidies, and refraining from further reservoir construction.