Thaksin’s
Pak Mool trip leaves Kingdom in suspense
The
Nation Dec 25, 2002
Prime Minister Thaksin
Shinawatra’s first inspection trip of the Pak Mool dam area yesterday
failed to yield an immediate decision on whether to open the dam’s gates
permanently, with the premier say¬ing a final decision would have to
wait until after the New Year.
Thaksin said he had to wait for conclusions from four
working teams, who are collecting informa¬tion in three districts –
Khong Chiam, Phibun Mangsahan and Sirindhorn. He claimed that infor¬mation
from all residents of the Mool River basin had to be collect¬ed in order
to make a decision.
However, he said yesterday’s oneday trip had provided
information that would help him make a deci¬sion.
“While riding a boat, I had a chance to talk to a
fisherman who provided me with information from a different point of view
than any I had heard before,” he said.
Meanwhile, the prime minister insisted his decision had to
be based on the country’s interests, even if it disappointed certain
minority inter¬ests. He said the Cabinet’s earlier resolution of
temporary opening of the dam’s sluice gates remained in effect.
Besides the fate of the villagers, Thaksin said the
approximately Bt4 billion owed by the Electricity Generating Authority of
Thailand (Egat) was another concern. However, he added, Egat’s debts were
not the priority in making a decision.
“Money has less importance than the villagers’ quality
of life. For me, money is just an illusion, life is the reality,” he said.
Thaksin yesterday took a heli¬copter from Bangkok to
the dam site together with Deputy Agriculture Minister Newin Chidchob and
Energy Minister Pongthep Thepkanchana. Two villagers’ rep¬resentatives
backed by the Assembly of the Poor also joined the trip.
Suwan Mingkwan, one of the vil¬lagers who joined the
trip, said Thaksin paid attention to the many rapids that have appeared
since the dam gates were opened last Friday as Thaksin ordered.
“He asked a lot of questions about the rapids – the
big one at Kaeng Sa Pau in particular. Throughout the trip I just answered
his questions and told him the facts about the river and the dam’s
impact,” he said.
About 500 villagers – both sup¬porters and opponents
of opening the dam gates – yesterday greeted Thaksin at the Sa Pau rapids,
but they did not get the premier’s atten¬tion.
Sawek Bantao, leader of those opposed to opening the dam
gates permanently, said he was sorry that the prime minister did not listen
to the voices of villagers who would be negatively affected if the dam gates
were open yearround as the Assembly of the Poor demanded. Sawek threatened to lead vil¬lagers who faced losses
from open¬ing the dam gates to a rally in front of Government House
after the New Year. |
