Sra Si Liam locals oppose Asia Metal’s EIA process – says first public hearing lacked transparency/ provided insufficient information
EARTH REPORT 09 January 2023
Citizens of Moo 10 village, Sra Si Liam subdistrict, Phanat Nikhom district, Chonburi province, eastern region of Thailand, spoke to oppose the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process for Asia Metal PCL’s galvanization project, at its second public hearing.
The citizens, who named themselves the “Rak Sra Si Liam” group said that the first hearing on the EIA process lacked transparency. According to them, the hearing, which occurred in February last year, was conducted at a location and time unsuitable for many locals. Additionally, they said not enough information was provided prior to the meeting, and during the meeting itself, technical jargons were used that locals could not understand, while the company did not answer questions posed by locals.
The galvanizing project in question is an addition to Asia Metal PCL’s pre-existing metal factory. According to documents distributed to locals, the project would have a production capacity of around 1333.33 tons per day, or 400,000 tons per year. This places it in the category of projects that needs to conduct EIA process, according to Thai law.
On January 3rd, 2023, the Rak Sra Si Liam group had sent a letter opposing the EIA process, and called for the second public hearing scheduled on January 9th, to be cancelled.
On January 9th, the second hearing went on as scheduled. The group came to the meeting venue where they held up a banner opposing the EIA process. They reiterated the reasons for the past EIA process to be overturned.
One other citizen stood up to say that he does not see any problems, maintaining that he has not received money from the company, and is glad that there will be more jobs for locals.
The consultant company in charge of the hearing process thanked the opposing opinion, and maintained that they will continue to process in accordance to the relevant laws.
At the end of the meeting the consultant company stated that another public hearing will be held on January 28th, 2023.
