Two-year
rally ends after government signs accord
Ampa Santimetaneedol,
Bangkok Post 12, 2001
Thousands
of Assembly of the Poor members will return home today after the
government signed an agreement to solve their problems, ending a
two-year-long protest outside Government House.
Paichit Sinlarak, a
representative of the Assembly of the Poor, said all the protesting
farmers will return to their home towns, but said villagers wanted Prime
Minister's Office Minister Chaturon Chaisaeng to confirm the agreement
would be strictly adhered to.
Under the terms, spillways
of Pak Moon Dam in Ubon Ratchathani will be opened during May-August for
an environmental impact assessment. A decision will then be made on
whether to allow an indefinite spillway opening.
The government will appoint
a panel to search for plots covering 15 rai each as new homes for over 400
families affected by the construction of Sirindhorn Dam.
Tests will also be
conducted to measure the volume of dust particles in the air in
communities around Lam Ta Khong Dam in the wake of rock blasting.
Wanida Tantiwittayapitak,
an adviser to the Assembly of the Poor, said the agreement had been
endorsed by the cabinet and signed by the premier's secretary-general
Prommin Saengsuridej.
The government agreed with
all points of the assembly's proposal and would set up committees
representing the state and villagers to tackle problems facing the poor in
25 cases.
She estimated each problem
could be solved within a year.
It was reported the
protestors' trips home will begin this morning, using trucks hired by the
government.
Thousands of villagers have
been displaced by dam projects and have no permanent homes. Around 1,000
of them will have to set up shelters on the edge of Pak Moon Dam in Ubon
Ratchathani.
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