The Thaksin administration may use controversial mega-projects, including dam-building, as a means to win the support of local politicians, so far the only group left out of its odd alliance of rural villagers, powerful tycoons and national politicians, noted Chulalongkorn University economist Pasuk Pongpaijit told a seminar on "Dams and Development" yesterday.

As local politicians are normally among the supporters of such projects, the government's effort to court them may lead to conflict with villagers affected by the projects, she said.

Chusak Wittayapak, a lecturer at Chiang Mai University, said the current government, which is known for its skilful management of several interest groups, would, like its predecessors, continue to subject some groups to further hardships, yet in a rather subtle manner.

Noted economist Ammar Siamwalla acknowledged the problematic interpretation of the word "development", saying it was important to ask what the net social benefits of the mega-projects were and how they should be measured.

Suthawal Sathirathai, of the Institute of Good Governance for Society and the Environment, said an economic study of the now-suspended Kaeng Sua Ten Dam in Phrae province revealed the dam would yield only Bt1.8 billion over 50 years, compared with a total economic loss of about Bt3.7 billion to Bt6.3 billion.

Several panellists said supporters of big infrastructure projects often ignored natural, cultural and social values while concentrating on supposed economic benefits.

These values, if lost, cannot be completely compensated for, said Dejraj Sukkamnerd of Kasetsart University.

Many villagers who have been affected as a result of dam-building emotionally recounted their suffering at the meeting. In one case, a man had to trade three cows for just Bt100. The cows were dying of hunger after their only pasture was flooded with the completion of the Rasisalai Dam in Si Sa Ket province.

Chalermthai Champapan used to have 60 cows, and each earned him Bt10,000. "I have none now," he said. Chayan Vadhanaphuti of the Ethnic Study Centre said villagers in the dam areas and ethnic hilltribe minorities in the North were both marginalised by development projects of the government.