Ignorance is Toxic… Double Standard at Map Ta Phut
Published by Campaign for Alternative Industry Network (CAIN), January 2007
Authors: Penchom Saetang, Faikham Harnnarong, Sukran Rojanapaiwong
Supported by Heinrich Böll Foundation
Large parts of Thai society are unaware of dangers that come along with the rapid industrial development of the country. While a company’s facility will have numerous impacts on its surrounding, many of those are hidden and require public disclosure in order for people to know what their concerns should be. Exclusion from the knowledge-circle cripples people’s ability to safeguard their environment and the vitality of their communities. This has been recognized by the principle of “Right to Know” (RTK). The principle is based on the idea that people have an inherent right to know about decisions and actions that affect their lives, i.e. the public should have the right to access relevant information. Yet, the principle of RTK goes further and implies that access to information is heavily related to the right of public participation. This has been acknowledged by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio 1992: “Environmental issues are best handled with participation of all concerned citizens [...], each individual shall have appropriate access to information concerning the environment” (Rio Declaration: Principle 10, UNCED, 1992).
Chapter I : Introduction
1.1 Right to know in Thailand
1.2 Aim and scope of the study
1.3 Methodology and study period
1.4 Limitations and constraints of the study
Chapter II : Study area : Map Ta Phut IEs
Chapter III : Findings: Companies in question
3.1 Alliance Refining Co., Ltd.
3.2 Sak Chaisidhi Co., Ltd.
3.3 Bayer Thai Co., Ltd. and H.C. Starck (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
3.4 The SCC-Dow Group
3.5 Vinythai Public Co., Ltd. and Peroxythai Co. Ltd.
3.6 ZEON Chemicals (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
Chapter IV : Analysis and conclusion
