KAENG SUA TEN DAM PROJECT
Military units conducting `psychological
operations'
Kultida Samabuddhi Bangkok Post
http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/07May2004_news20.php
The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives asked the military to conduct
``psychological operations'' in Phrae's Song district to pave way for
construction of the Kaeng Sua Ten dam.
Villagers have opposed the 8.2-billion baht dam for more than 10 years.
The Irrigation Department's progress report on the project indicates
the army's psychological and intelligence operation units were asked to
monitor the anti-dam movement in tambon Sa-iab, the dam site.
The report, sent to Agriculture Minister Somsak Thepsuthin yesterday,
said the ministry hired teachers from schools to promote the dam.
Mr Somsak said he would visit the site dam to talk to opponents. Phrae,
Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, and Nakhon Sawan people had been hit by drought
and floods every year due to the absence of devices to control water flow,
he said.
The dam would go in Mae Yom national park, home of teak forest and wild
peafowl.
The project has been put on hold since the Chuan Leekpai government called
an indefinite halt in 1997, as demanded by the Assembly of the Poor.
Opponents said the project would destroy 60,000 rai of pristine forest
and more than 1000 families would have to move. Moreover, the dam was
unlikely to tackle drought and flood problems as claimed.
Kamnan Chum Sa-iabkong, spokesman for the opponents, said he was shocked
that the department could think of using the military to win over local
people and keep an eye on opponents.