Tensions
ease as talks start after 14 months of protests
Nothing
definite, but they'll set up a panel
Anchalee
Kongrut in Ubon Ratchathani, Bangkok Post May 28th, 2000
No
concrete agreement was reached but tension at the Pak Moon dam declined somewhat
as talks between protesters and authorities took place for the first time in 14
months.
The
most substantial understanding emerging from yesterday's meeting in Khong Chiam
district was that a multi-party committee be set up with the government's
blessing to look into the protesters' grievances.
Brokered
by a group of senators-elect, the talks brought together representatives of the
Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, provincial administration and
protesting villagers whose two-week blockade of the power generator monitoring
plant at the dam has raised fears of violent confrontation.
Respected
academic Banthorn Orndam moderated the session, observed by a group of
senators-elect including Sawai Prammanee from Nakhon Ratchasima, Tuenjai Deetes
from Chiang Rai, and Veerasak Sinarak and Nirand Pitakwatchara from Ubon
Ratchathani.
Conspicuously
absent from the negotiation table was Amnuay Patise, the PM's deputy
secretary-general, who was earlier designated by Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai to
sit in on the talks on his behalf.
The
protesters earlier burned Mr Amnuay's effigy and have demanded to talk to
someone else with full authority from Mr Chuan. Yesterday, Mr Amnuay spent the
day at the dam and talked with Egat and senior provincial officials at
Sirindhorn dam after the talks ended.
Mr
Banthorn spoke first, asking for a minute of silent meditation so that all
parties could open up their minds together in search of a solution.
Mr
Banthorn and the observing senators tried to ease tension and cut off
unproductive criticisms and recounting of past disputes by both sides. By midday
the protesters relented on their earlier steadfast refusal of Egat's request to
send maintenance staff in to inspect the power turbines.
However,
they insisted they first needed Mr Chuan's assurance that their grievances would
be taken care of by someone with full authority to make decisions.
The
biggest achievement of the day was a promise by Siva Saengmanee, the provincial
governor, that he would fly to Bangkok immediately to request that the
government quickly form a committee to address the grievances of Pak Moon
protesters. The protesting villagers also told Egat deputy governor M.L.
Chanaphan Kridakorn that they had few choices in trying to draw Mr Chuan's
attention.
Seizing
Pak Moon dam was the last bargaining chip they had to pressure the government to
respond to their demands.
Prior
to their dramatic action, the villagers had been living in a makeshift village
by the bank of the Moon river next to the dam for more than a year, trying to
call the government's attention to their plight.
The
villagers' admission noticeably softened the hostility of Egat workers and local
reporters, who had been criticised for their negative attitudes towards the
protesters.
Protest
leader Wanida Tantiwitayapitak of the Assembly of the Poor said it was
predictable that the government would form a committee to handle the problem.
"Hundreds
of committees have arisen from our campaigns. But it is the quickest way to get
a response from the government."Mr Amnuay said he would propose the
appointment of a working committee at Tuesday's cabinet meeting
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