Conservation group sues over Chanthaburi reservoir plan

Three court requests

The foundation has submitted three main requests to the court.

First, it is asking the court to revoke the March 27, 2020 resolution of the expert committee reviewing environmental impact assessment reports for water resource development projects, as well as the June 21, 2021 resolution of the National Environment Board, both of which approved the EHIA for the project.

Second, it is asking the court to order the Royal Irrigation Department to suspend the use of the approved EHIA report in any process to revoke land within Khao Sip Ha Chan National Park for the project.

Third, it is seeking an order suspending use of the report in submissions to the Cabinet and other relevant agencies.

Protected forest at centre of dispute

The Khlong Wang Tanod reservoir project is located in Chanthaburi.

Its headworks and reservoir area cover a combined 11,982 rai, including 5,791 rai in Khun Song National Forest Reserve and 6,191 rai inside Khao Sip Ha Chan National Park.

Khao Sip Ha Chan National Park was declared Thailand’s 122nd national park on December 25, 2009.

It forms part of the Eastern Forest Complex and serves as an ecological corridor connecting Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary and Khao Soi Dao Wildlife Sanctuary.

Although the park covers only 73,729 rai and is one of the smaller national parks in the Eastern Forest Complex, it is considered important for wildlife movement, genetic exchange and the survival of large mammals, including wild elephants and gaur.

The case is now before the Central Administrative Court, which will decide both the foundation’s request for temporary protection and its petition to revoke the resolutions approving the EHIA for the Khlong Wang Tanod reservoir project.

Bangkokbiznews