EARTH Thailand

Map Ta Phut Studies


Map Ta Phut Industrial Estates have currently housed over 90 industrial facilities including oil refineries, petrochemical and chemical facilities and hazardous waste landfills and treatment facility with over 200 stacks emitting toxic pollution into the air of 25 surrounding communities.

Over two decades of industrial development have turned the area, once rooted by small rural farming and fishing communities, into a number one toxic hot spot in the country. The rapid industrialization has resulted in deterioration of natural resources and changes in social and economic structure following by numerous social, socio-economic, environmental, and health problems. Accumulated pollution and environmental problems as well as mysterious diseases have been emerging, as very much linked to each other, and drastically affect small locals who are weak in power to negotiate with the powerful industries or bureaucratic agencies.

 

Laem Chabang Port: Surrounding area declared disaster-hit zone

The Nation 27 November 2009

Leakage claims one life as families evacuated; mobile medical unit dispatched to neighbouring community as 191 locals queue up for treatment for exposure.

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Court rules to halt industrial projects

Bangkok Post 30 September 2009

Pollution in some areas takes turn for the worse

The Administrative Court has issued an injunction suspending the operating permits of 76 industrial projects - including many at Rayong's Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate - which have been granted government approval.

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Rayong appeal discussed: PTT and SCG lead Map Ta Phut response

Bangkok Post 02 October 2009

The country's industrial giants gathered yesterday to discuss the court-ordered suspension of permits at Map Ta Phut and whether the private sector could petition the court to relax its orders.

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Abhisit agrees to talks with protesters

Bangkok Post 11 September 2009

Villagers want industry permits put on hold

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva says he is willing to hold talks with villagers affected by pollution and now protesting in front of Map Ta Phut industrial estate in Rayong province.

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IEAT seeks legal advice: Extent of Map Ta Phut curbs unclear

Bangkok Post 03 October 2009

The government agency in charge of the Map Ta Phut industrial area hopes to obtain a legal interpretation within the next week of a court ruling that has halted 76 industrial projects at the complex in Rayong province.

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Cleaner air in Map Ta Phut

Bangkok Post 05 March 2009 | EDITORIAL

Belated though it is, the Rayong provincial administrative court's ruling on Tuesday that areas surrounding the Map Ta Phut industrial estate be declared a pollution control zone, is indeed welcome news. It represents a breeze of clean air not only for the 27 Map Ta Phut residents who took the case to court, but also for their neighbours who have for years been suffering from the toxic chemicals released into the environment by factories in the industrial estate.

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Court to look into details of 76 industrial developments

Bangkok Post 28 August 2009 

Villagers seek an order to stop project permits

The Central Administrative Court has ordered eight agencies to provide it with details of 76 industrial projects planned for development in Rayong's Map Ta Phut area.

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27 workers faint after gas leakage

Bangkok Post 13 February 2009  

Twenty-seven workers of PTT Chemical Public Company Limited (PTTCH) reportedly became unconscious after gas leaked from a factory located in Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate in Rayong on Friday.

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Residents, activists file court complaints over coal plant

The Nation 04 July 2012

Environmental activists and Map Ta Phut residents yesterday lodged a complaint against a mayor, accusing him of ignoring questionable practices at a coal processing plant despite more than five years of complaints by the community.

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Conservationists call on govt to rethink on Dawei project

The Nation 19 September 2012 | SUPALAK GANJANAKHUNDEE

Thailand's Map Ta Phut industrial estate cannot be considered a good model for Myanmar's Dawei project because it created a lot of industrial pollution in the area, Bangkok-based conservationists said yesterday.

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Map Ta Phut residents set to take IEAT to court

The Nation 07 December 2012  

Some 114 local residents in Rayong's Map Tha Phut district have decided to file a lawsuit against the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT), demanding that it give them Bt160 million in compensation for environmental and health damages.

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Huge fire continues in Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate

The Nation 05 May 2012

Firefighters and police still could not control a blaze at a tire factory in Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate in Rayong province on Saturday.

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Seven critical after chemical factory blaze

The Nation 06 May 2012

Some 47 people were injured - seven of them critically - after a fire broke out yesterday at the Bangkok Synthetics factory in Map Ta Phut.

The sky over the Rayong industrial estate was covered with thick black smoke from chemicals burnt during the blaze. Deputy Public Health Minister Dr Surawit Khonsomboon warned people in Rayong not to store rainwater for consumption, as it may be contaminated by toxic chemicals released by the fire. 

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BST facility suspended after deadly explosion

The Nation 06 May 2012

Bangkok Synthetics Plc's operations in Map Ta Phut, Rayong has been suspended, following the explosion at its synthetic tyre furnace on May 5. 

Industry Minister Pongsawat Svasti said today, before accompanying Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's helicopter ride to Rayong, that he has also ordered a throrough check of security systems at all facilities in the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate as well as the air condition. 

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Hazard alert after fatal blaze

The Nation 07 May 2012 | Chumphon Nikhomruk, Pongphon Sarnsamak

Toll of 11 dead, 129 injured after Bangkok Synthetics factory fire in Map Ta Phut; industry minister says air quality in Rayong normal, but health officials suspect toluene leak played role in deaths

A tripartite committee to be set up to gauge the extent of chemical contamination after a plastics plant burst into flames in Rayong on Saturday, killing 11 people and injuring 129.

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PM pays heed to industrial impact fears

Bangkok Post 19 September 2009

Map Ta Phut residents single out 55 projects

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has vowed to look into the environmental impact of industrial projects in Rayong's Map Ta Phut area after getting first-hand information from locals.

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List of harmful industries due next week

Bangkok Post 28 August 2009

A list of harmful industries will take effect next week as authorities hope to allay investors' concerns about requirements for environmental and health impact assessments, Industry Minister Chanchai Chairungruang said yesterday.

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MAP TA PHUT: Possible for obstacles to be cleared by Feb: Anand

The Nation 25 November 2009

The obstacles to the 76 industrial projects in Rayong could be cleared by February so some of them could resume construction, a special panel looking into the situation said yesterday.

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PTT consolidation on hold until Map Ta Phut ruling

The Nation 18 November 2009 | Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul

PTT Group's consolidation is set to be delayed until the Supreme Administrative Court rules on the fate of 76 industrial projects in Map Ta Phut and nearby areas that have been suspended.

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Govt strictly follows Map Ta Phut recommendation

The Nation 20 November 2009 | Pongphon Sarnsamak, Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul 

The government yesterday decided to withdraw draft amendments to Environment Protection Act that comply with the Constitution's Article 67 (2) as recommended by the four-party panel, which is promising to end the Map Ta Phut controversy within five months.

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The government must protect the rights and safety of villagers in Map Ta Phut: A Statement by the Asian Human Rights Commission

29 September 2010

Map Ta Phut in Rayong district is a long-standing major industrial and manufacturing area along the eastern seaboard of Thailand. In June 2009, Map Ta Phut villagers and the Stop Global Warming Association sued eight Thai state agencies in relation to the ongoing health and environmental effects caused by heavy industry and manufacturing.

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Map Ta Phut deadlock 'can be resolved'

Bangkok Post 20 November 2009 | Vichaya Pitsuwan, Chatrudee Theparat and Apinya Wipatayotin

Business leaders feel panel can restore trust

Business executives and community representatives are cautiously optimistic a four-party panel will help break the deadlock over new investment projects at Map Ta Phut.

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More court battles loom over Map Ta Phut projects impasse

Bangkok Post 19 November 2009 | Vichaya Pitsuwan and Mongkol Bangprapa  

The People's Eastern Network is threatening further court battles over the Map Ta Phut dispute unless the Supreme Administrative Court stands by a lower court's injunction order.

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Map Ta Phut panel wins wide support

Bangkok Post 13 November 2009 | Vichaya Pitsuwan and Mongkol Bangprapa  

Most of those affected by the environmental problems at the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate are confident the government's latest initiative to resolve the impasse will result in a breakthrough.

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Fate of 181 big projects in balance

Bangkok Post 03 November 2009 

Activists ready to fight investors on pollution

More than 180 major investment projects are hanging in the balance after activists vowed to seek a special court order to halt them under a constitutional article covering health and environmental impacts.

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Minister says he will rescue Map Ta Phut

Bangkok Post 10 November 2009 | Apinya Wipatayotin

Pollution to be fixed 'within three months'

RAYONG: Deputy Prime Minister Korbsak Sabhavasu has told people affected by industrial pollution in Map Ta Phut he will improve the environment within three months.

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PTT losses could top B262bn

Bangkok Post 29 October 2009 | Yuthana Praiwan

RAYONG : PTT Plc, the country's largest energy conglomerate, faces potential opportunity losses of 262 billion baht per year due to delays in completing its 25 ongoing projects in Map Ta Phut.

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Air checks point to cancer risk

Bangkok Post 23 October 2009 | Apinya Wipatayotin

The amount of cancer-causing substances found in industrial estates in Rayong is dangerously high, according to air-quality checks by green groups.

Ecological, Alert and Recovery-Thailand (Earth) and US-based Global Community Monitor visited industrial sites in the province on Wednesday to measure air pollutants.

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Environmental draft amendments approved

The Nation 14 October 2009  

The Cabinet yesterday approved draft amendments to the Environmental Protection Act of 1992, to comply with Article 67 of the Constitution.

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Cabinet approves environment law amendment

Bangkok Post 13 October 2009  

The cabinet on Tuesday approved a draft amendment to the 1992 Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act as proposed by the Council of State, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said.

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Planned law changes criticised

Bangkok Post 14 October 2009

The cabinet yesterday approved changes to environmental legislation despite claims by activists that they would do little to solve the problems associated with the Map Ta Phut industrial estate.

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Map Ta Phut needs to earn public confidence

The Nation 08 May 2012 | ACHARA DEBOONME  

The disaster last weekend at Map Ta Phut, the country's largest petrochemical complex, is not the first and will probably not be the last as long as good safety measures are not put in place and strictly enforced.

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Opposition re-emerges to Map Ta Phut projects

The Nation 08 May 2012  

The Eastern People's Network plans to file lawsuits against Bangkok Synthetics over the fatal explosion and fire at its subsidiary BST Elastomers' facility in Rayong's Map Ta Phut area on Saturday, in a move that strengthens industrialists' fears over

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IEAT to check 65 plants after blast

The Nation 09 May 2012 | PONGPHON SARNSAMAK, ACHARA VI

The massive explosion at the factory of a Bangkok Synthetics subsidiary that killed 11 and injured another 129 people on Saturday has prompted the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) to examine 65 hazardous factories in Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate.

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Thailand’s Air: Poison Cocktail

Exposing Unsustainable Industries and the Case for Community Right To Know and Prevention [Thailand Bucket Brigade]

By Campaign for Alternative Industry Network (CAIN), Greenpeace Southeast Asia (GPSEA), Global Community Monitor (GCM), October 2005

This report gives fresh evidence that the proposed ‘Community Right To Know Law’ and the ‘National Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (PRTR) System’ are essentially needed along with better environmental monitoring and direct involvement of affected communities in environmental decision-making with the aim to achieve environmental justice and sustainable society.

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Analysis of Water Quality around Large Anthropogenic Emissions Sources in Eastern Thailand

By Arpa Wangkiat, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rangsit University, November 2006

The study evaluated variations in elemental compositions of water quality affected by large anthropogenic emission sources in Eastern Thailand: Map Ta Phut Industrial Estates which have housed over 90 industrial facilities including oil refineries, petrochemical and chemical facilities and hazardous waste landfills and treatment facilities. Eighty water samples were collected from water-well of 25 communities in Map Ta Phut during November 2005 and February 2006.

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DNA adduct formation among workers in a Thai industrial estate and nearby residents

By Marco Peluso,  Petcharin Srivatanakul, Armelle Munnia, Adisorn Jedpiyawongse, Aurelie Meunier, Suleeporn Sangrajrang, Sara Piro, and Marcello Ceppi, and Paolo Boffetta, 1 November 2007

The genotoxic effects of air pollutant exposures have been studied in people living and working in Map Ta Phut, Rayong province, Thailand, a site where is located the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate (MIE) one of the largest steel, refinery and petrochemical complex in the South–Eastern Asia. This was done by the conduction of a transversal study aimed to compare the prevalence of bulky DNA adducts in groups of subjects experiencing various degree of air pollution.

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Malondialdehyde-dG Adducts among Workers of a Thai Industrial Estate and Nearby Residents

National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 11 August 2009

Humans living near industrial point emissions can experience high levels of exposures to air pollutants. Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate in Thailand is the location of the largest steel, oil refinery and petrochemical factory complexes in the South–Eastern Asia. Air pollution is an important source of oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species, which interact with DNA and lipids, leading to oxidative damage and lipid peroxidation, respectively.

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Trends in E-waste Generation: UNU’s Global E-Waste Monitor - 2014

Presentation by Dr. Ruediger KUEHR, United Nations University

At the Conference of Parties - 2015 Geneva, 11 May 2015

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Trends in E-waste Generation: UNU’s Global E-Waste Monitor - 2014

Presentation by Dr. Jaco Huisman, United Nations University

14 April 2016

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Map Ta Phut locals demand say in industrial safeguards

Bangkok Post 20 May 2012 | Tunya Sukpanich

The utter lack of warning and evacuation measures during the recent twin disasters at the industrial estate has galvanised nearby communities to insist on the right to have a greater say in how they are protected

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Health Impact Assessment of the Eastern Seaboard Development Program: A Case Study of Map Ta Put Industrial Estates

By Decharut Sukkumnoed – Kasetsart University, and Penchom Tang – Campaign for Alternative Industrial Network

November 2003

The Eastern Seaboard Development Program” is the most obvious case showing “the Two Sides of the Coin” from the Thai development experience. An issue worthy of a great concern here is that the Thai government still uses this program as the development model for other regions of the country despite serious complaints by the local people on their negative impacts. To develop the Health Impact Assessment (HIA) to be a tool or mechanism for influencing the healthy public policy in Thailand, “the Eastern Seaboard Development Program” could be used as one of the inevitable butread more...

Map Ta Phut Industrial Development: National Economic Success on Environmental Disaster and Health Damages

By Penchom Saetang - Ecological Alert and Recovery – Thailand (EARTH)

23 September 2015

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Establishing the Pollution Monitoring Volunteer Network in Thailand

By Penchom Saetang, Director, Ecological Alert and Recovery – Thailand (EARTH), December 2015

Since 1994, communities started their fighting with the government’s industrial investment projects in the eastern, northern, northeaster regions. This situation has prompted growing conflicts and clashes between communities and the government, meanwhile the polluters have been enjoying their privileges of investment and making profits in the country.

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Rayong villagers submit human rights violation complaint after being attacked

Prachatai 25 March 2015 | Ecological Alert and Recovery - Thailand

More than 40 residents from Ban Laeng rural municipality, Rayong province travelled to Bangkok and submitted a human rights violation complaint to Dr. Niran Pitakwatchara, National Human Rights Commissioner. Residents were recently attacked and threatened by men who claimed to represent TPI Polene Public Company Limited, which plans to construct a plastic pellet storage facility near the source of public drinking water for 7 villages in Ban Laeng rural municipality, Rayong province.

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Risk Communication and Chemical Accident Management: Case Study of BST Elastomers Factory Accident in Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate, Rayong, Thailand

By Nicha Rakpanichmanee, Dawan Chantarahasdee and Kanis Pongnavin - Researchers at Ecological Alert and Recovery – Thailand (EARTH), February 2013

Thailand in a time of rapid industrialization has witnessed increased risk from chemical accidents and industrial pollution. The objective of this study is to review the existing approach of risk communication and chemical accident management in Thailand. We analyze risk communication in practice according to the principle that risk communication is not a product of scientific calculation, but a process of negotiation and deliberative agreement in society.

 

 

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Breathing Fire, in Their Own Words: West County Toxics Coalition’s: 20 20 Year Environmental Justice Struggle to Ban Toxic Flares

By Denny Larson, Global Community Monitor and its National Refinery Reform Campaign, 2005

In the early 1940’s, Richmond, California, became a large hub for shipbuilding as part of the World War II effort. Thousands of African Americans from the South migrated to Richmond to take advantage of the jobs and opportunity. Many settled along the less inhabited areas of the region, mainly near the fencelines of industrial developments. The largest industry was Chevron’s Richmond refinery that occupied over 300 acres in the northeast corner of Richmond. Studies have documented the proximity of African American and people of color neighbors to industrial pollution sources in Richmond.

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Investigation of chemicals released by the Vinythai and Thai Plastic & Chemicals (TPC) PVC manufacturing facilities, Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate, Rayong Province, Thailand

By Kevin Brigden, Iryna Labunska & David Santillo: Greenpeace Research Laboratories, November 2004

Vinythai and Thai Plastic & Chemicals (TPC) operate separate polyvinyl chloride (PVC) manufacturing facilities within the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate, in Rayong Province, Thailand.  Canals flow through the estate and receive discharged wastewaters from many facilities prior to discharging into the Gulf of Thailand.  Both PVC manufacturing facilities discharge wastewaters to one of these canals herein referred to as the east canal.  Within the Vinythai and TPC facilities, PVC is produced as well as the raw materials used in its manufacture, namely chlorine, ethylene dichloride (EDC) and vinyl chloride monomer (VCM).  

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Regulations are useless if they are not enforced

The Nation 10 May 2012 | EDITORIAL

The weekend explosion at Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate shows that safety concerns are still being taken too lightly by the govt and authorities. 

The accident at Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate last weekend is unfortunate indeed. The explosion should have been preventable but it happened because of industries’ carelessness and lax enforcement by the responsible authorities.

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Rayong locals demand accident warning system

The Nation 14 May 2012 | Pongphon Sarnsamak, Sirinart  

People living near Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate in Rayong province are demanding that the government create an early warning system for chemical related accidents and are insisting that manufacturers reveal information about all chemical substances they use.

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Map Ta Phut residents rally for govt's assistance

The Nation 16 May 2012  

A group of protesters rallied outside Government House yesterday to demand that the authorities urgently start assisting those affected by the recent factory explosion in Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate in Rayong province.

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Blast-hit firm gives Bt16.6m to nearby communities

The Nation 24 June 2012  

A Bangkok Synthetics Co (BST) affiliate whose toluene plant at Rayong's Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate was hit by a fire and explosion that killed 11 people and wounded 194 others on May 5 presented Bt16.6 million assistance money for remedial measures to Rayong Governor Seni Jittakasem received the money, which will fund community-development projects, from company executives in front of community representatives.

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Fund for chemical fire victims

The Nation 02 June 2012  

A rubber-processing company located in Rayong's Map Ta Phut industrial estate yesterday founded a Bt10million fund for residents affected by a chemical fire at a factory last month.

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Residents protest at slow compensation on Sunday

The Nation 02 July 2012  

Residents near Thailand's Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate on Sunday submitted a letter of complaint to Rayong's governor calling for the speeding up of compensation payments following the explosion at a petrochemical factory in May. 

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Fire damages Rayong polyester factory

The Nation 24 August 2012  

A fire raged through a polyester factory in Rayong's Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate late Thursday night, with firefighters taking 15 minutes to control the blaze. No casualties were reported.

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Myanmar questions Italian-Thai's resource for giant Dawei project

BLOOMBERG / The Nation 04 May 2012

Myanmar President Thein Sein's top political adviser has questioned Italian-Thai Development's ability to oversee a planned US$8.6-billion (Bt265 billion) industrial zone in the country, raising doubts about the Dawei project's viability.

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Fishermen fight Map Ta Phut port expansion

Bangkok Post 30 October 2015 | Jumphol Nikomruk

Fishermen in Rayong are strongly opposed to the planned expansion of the port at the Map Ta Phut industrial complex, saying dredging would cause the water to change direction and affect marine life and their livelihood.

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Map Ta Phut scoured for pollutants

Bangkok Post 06 May 2012  

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has set up a tripartite committee to examine possible toxic contamination in the Map Ta Phut area following the chemical explosion at a factory which killed 12 people.

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No pollution solution to Map Ta Phut

Bangkok Post 03 July 2014 | Ploenpote Atthakor

It has been a nice surprise to see the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) seeking to take an active role in solving the environmental problems surrounding the Map Ta Phut industrial estate in Rayong.

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Smell of gas drives 300 from homes

Bangkok Post 09 June 2014  

Rayong - More than 300 people living near Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate in Muang district were evacuated on Saturday night following concerns about a strong gas-like smell blanketing the area.

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Civil groups take legal action over accidents

Bangkok Post 09 May 2012

Negligence claimed at Map Ta Phut factories

Civil groups will file lawsuits against state agencies and petrochemical firm operators for alleged negligence that led to two accidents in Map Ta Phut.

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'All clear' was premature

Bangkok Post 17 May 2012

A Bangkok-based NGO says people evacuated from the environs of a Rayong estate earlier this month should not have been allowed to return to their homes so quickly

Environmentalists have criticised the authorities for their handling of a recent explosion and fire at BST Elastomers Co Ltd in Map Ta Phut industrial estate and for deliberately downplaying the fact that residents of 18 nearby communities are still being exposed on a daily basis to toxic levels of a noxious substance.

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Noxious Emissions: Doctors beg for funds to move hospital

The Nation 08 February 2007 | Pennapa Hongthong

Map Ta Phut medical staff fear for their lives after reports of high cancer rates

The alarming levels of cancer emerging in Map Ta Phut communities have sparked fear among Map Ta Phut Hospital medical staff who are waiting for the facility to be relocated away from the heavy-industry complex.

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Dawei locals, CSOs raise concerns over violation of human rights

MYANMAR ELEVEN 10 March 2016
KHINE KYAW | YANGON

CIVIL SOCIETY organisations (CSOs) and local residents living near the Dawei Special Economic Zone (SEZ) have called for action from the Japanese, Myanmar and Thai governments to tackle human rights violations before allowing the project to resume.

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Map Ta Phut delays frustrate Japanese

Bangkok Post 15 July 2010 | Nareerat Wiriyapong

Japanese executives yesterday expressed frustration over further delays in resolving the Map Ta Phut environmental regulation issue, and also pressed the government to intervene with insurance firms to speed compensation to businesses affected by the May political riots.

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Thirst hits Map Ta Phut

Bangkok Post 01 July 2010 | Nareerat Wiriyapong

Poor water supply threatens investment

RAYONG : Legal uncertainties surrounding regulations of industrial projects at Map Ta Phut should be cleared up within two weeks, but inadequate water supply poses a new threat to local operators and future investments in the area, says Industry Minister Chaiwuti Bannawat.

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Panel finalises harmful industrial activities List

Bangkok Post 07 June 2010  

Map Ta Phut residents say safeguards still missing

RAYONG : The four-party panel working on solving Map Ta Phut's pollution problems has finalised a draft list of activities it considers harmful to the environment and public health.

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Pregnant women most at risk in areas near Map Ta Phut estate

The Nation 02 June 2010 |  JANJIRA PONGRAI

Toxins from Rayong's Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate could cause about 16 per cent of pregnant women living within less than four kilometres of the estate to give premature birth, a report revealed yesterday.

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Chemical Plant Shut, Faces Probe Over Leak

The Nation 09 June 2010   

Due to the leak, 299 people were hospitalised. Dozens of them were still in hospitals as of press time yesterday.

The factory is located inside the Hemaraj Eastern Industrial Estate in Rayong.

In the wake of the incident, Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand governor Monta Pranootnorapal ordered the suspension of the factory's operations and an investigation into the incident.

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Panel to propose pollution control tactics for Map Ta Phut

The Nation 29 April 2010   

A subpanel will propose measures on tackling pollution in Rayong's Map Ta Phut area before the end of next month.

The subpanel would work under a fourpart committee that is chaired by former prime minister Anand Panyarachun and was established after the Central Administrative Court suspended dozens of industrial projects in the heavily polluted Map Ta Phut area.

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Judges visit suspended projects

Bangkok Post 23 February 2010  

Central Administrative Court judges have visited industrial projects in Rayong's Map Ta Phut area whose construction has been suspended after the public prosecution sought permission for them to go ahead.

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Japanese want clear timeframe to invest

Bangkok Post 20 February 2010 | Thanida Tansubhapol

Japanese investors have confirmed they are still ready to boost investment in Thailand but have asked the government to come up with a clear timeframe for resolving the Map Ta Phut impasse.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya yesterday invited Japanese investors to the ministry to clarify the Map Ta Phut pollution problem, which led to the administrative case filed by local villagers against eight state agencies.

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Korn to lead delegation to Japan

The Nation 19 February 2010   

A roadshow led by Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij will leave for Japan on March 11 and spend two days explaining solutions to the Map Ta Phut crisis to the government and investors, a Finance Ministry source said yesterday.

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PM steps in to find solution

The Nation 17 February 2010 | Chularat Saengpassa, Hassaya Chartmontree

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is trying to mediate between the Council of State and the four-party panel seeking solutions to the Map Ta Phut deadlock over changes to the panel's draft law to establish an industrial watchdog.

This independent organisation is expected to play a key role in striking a balance between ecological soundness and rapid industrial development."I have already talked to the secretary-general of the Council of State about the matter," Abhisit said yesterday.

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NESDB to submit eco-town guidelines

The Nation 10 February 2010 | Pongphon Sarnsamak

The National Economic and Social Development Board will submit its eco-town guidelines to the Joint Public-Private Sector Consultative Committee on February 22.

It hopes they will become the model for Map Ta Phut or a new industrial zone for upstream steel projects.

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Map Ta Phut panel wants to revive buffer zone

The Nation 02 February 2010 | Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Map Ta Phut four-party panel yesterday set up a subcommittee to study how to revive the buffer zone, which would separate the residential and industrial areas to avoid future crises.

The panel, chaired by former prime minister Anand Panyarachun, has learned that the Map Ta Phut city plan, as conceived by the local authorities, will expire next year. The local authorities are hiring a private consultant to draft a new city plan.

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Clear framework essential, says Jetro

The Nation 06 February 2010 | Petchanet Pratruangkrai 

Japanese investors have called for the Thai government to announce a clear road map for solving the Map Ta Phut problem as soon as possible.

They say doing so would ensure investment remained in the Kingdom and that companies affected would have to carry a financial burden from the episode for only six months.

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Map Ta Phut may drive away Japanese companies in Thailand

The Nation 29 January 2010 | Nalin Viboonchart  

About one-third of the members of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce (JCC) are deeply concerned about the Map Ta Phut impasse, with many of those affected considering relocating their planned investments to other Asean countries if it is not resolved within six months as promised by the prime minister.

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Govt moves to end Map Ta Phut saga

Bangkok Post 01 September 2010

Cabinet approves list of harmful industries

The government has taken another step towards ending the Map Ta Phut saga by approving a list of 11 industrial activities deemed harmful to the environment.

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Abhisit 'clears the air' over Map Ta Phut impasse

Bangkok Post 15 September 2010

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva says he has "cleared the air" over the Map Ta Phut debacle during a surprise visit to the four-party panel which is looking into the issue.

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Call For Protection: Locals Affected In Dawei SEZ Concern Over Compensation

Myanmar ITV, 07 March 2016

A Dawei Development Association-DDA report released Monday suggests, the Dawei Special Economic Zone has caused some negative impacts to locals, especially on the lack of transparency, consistency, and negotiations on compensation for affected lands.

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Alarm over Rayong fish deaths

Bangkok Post 19 Mar 2016 

RAYONG — Fishermen and activists in this eastern province want an investigation into the exact cause of mass fish deaths, which authorities insist are part of a natural phenomenon that occurs every year.

However, some local people suspect waste discharged from factories at the Map Ta Phut industrial estate could be linked to the thousands of dead fish that have washed up on Ta Kuan beach.

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Villagers win pollution case

Bangkok Post 04 March 2009 | APINYA WIPATAYOTIN  

The Administrative Court has ruled in favour of villagers in Rayong province, ordering the National Environment Board to declare the area near Map Ta Phut industrial estate a pollution control zone.

Twenty-seven villagers from 11 communities around the industrial estate in Muang district filed the case in October 2007, accusing the NEB of negligence for failing to designate the area as a pollution control zone.

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Court suspends 76 projects in Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate

Thai News Agency 29 September 2009

BANGKOK (TNA) – Thailand’s Central Administrative Court on Tuesday ordered 76 industrial projects in Map Ta Phut industrial estate in the eastern province of Rayong to temporarily halt operating amid continual concern about critical environmental and health impacts.

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PM: Pollution ruling is a threat

Bangkok Post 05 March 2009 | VICHAYA PITSUWAN AND YUTHANA PRAIWAN

Delays in investment by state-owned energy giant PTT Plc could jeopardise the national economy, warns Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

PTT's investment plans were thrown into disarray this week when the Rayong Administrative Court ruled the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate in Rayong should be designated a pollution-control zone.

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Fire at PTT Phenol factory in Rayong

Bangkok Post 22 August 2016 | Jumphol Nikomruk

RAYONG -- A wastewater tank exploded and started a fire inside the factory of PTT Phenol Co in the Hemaraj Eastern Industrial Estate, Muang district, early on Monday. Pol Lt Maitree Pakul, the duty officer at Map Ta Phut police station, said the incident occurred about 2.17am. A 537 cubic metre tank containing wastewater contaminated with hydrocarbon exploded and caught fire. The fire spread quickly, sending a foul smell throughout the factory, which produces phenol and acetone.

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Seminar seeks to shine spotlight on mercury-linked Minamata disease

Kyodo  07 September 2016 | Keiji Hirano

Victims, researchers and academics will on Saturday gather in Bangkok for a seminar marking the 60th anniversary since the discovery of mercury poisoning malady Minamata disease.

To be held at Chulalongkorn University, speakers will include Shinobu Sakamoto, a Kumamoto Prefecture native who contracted Minamata disease, which paralyzes the central nervous system and causes birth defects, in the womb.

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Thailand will be ready to rectify the Minamata Convention on Mercury by 2017, said PCD

EARTH 12 September 2016

The organizers of the “MINAMATA@60: Learning from Industrial Disaster towards Sustainable Society and Environment”, including academics from Thailand and Japan, and Ms. Shinobu Sakamoto, a Minamata Congenital disease patient, met with the Director General of Pollution Control Department (PCD), Dr. Wijarn Simachaya, and the group also met with the representative of the Office of the Permanent Secretary, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Deputy Director of Disease Control Department, the Bureau of Occupational and Environmental Diseases of the Ministry of Health, and the Chair of the Health Committee of the National Legislative Assembly, to urge the related state agencies to ratify the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

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Map Ta Phut blue stream raises fears

Bangkok Post 24 September 2014 | Jumphol Nikomruk

A small stream that turned vividly blue for a few hours in the industrial Map Ta Phut sub-district of Rayong province raised environmental concerns on Wednesday.

The strange colouring occurred in a small public waterway in Ban Nong Fab community of Muang Rayong district's Map Ta Phut sub-district at about 10am. The area houses the giant Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate which has been subject to incidents of pollution many times in recent years.

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Map Ta Phut fire death toll rises to at least 9, 120 injured

The Nation 6 May 2012  

The death toll in the massive factory five in Map Ta Phut rose to at least 9 and 120 people were reported injured, Rayong Governor Seni Jittakasem said Sunday.

The massive fire that broke out at the Bangkok Synthetics factory in Map Ta Phut Saturday.

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Map Ta Phut city plan halves industrial zone

The Nation 01 March 2011 | Pongphon Sarnsamak

A new city plan has been proposed for Map Ta Phut which would see the area's industrial zone cut by half and the buffer zone between industries and the community increased to cover nearly 10,000 rai.

The plan, proposed by the Map Ta Phut municipality, will be studied by the Interior Ministry's Civil Works Department and City Planning Committee today.

"If the committee approves this draft, it will mean that only clean industrial activities will be allowed in the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate," said Preecha Ronnarong, a member of a subpanel studying the use of the city plan to resolve pollution problems iread more...

Oil spill threatens Rayong beaches

Bangkok Post 27 July 2013

Helicopters and ships battle to contain 2.5km long slick off Map Ta Phut

Emergency response authorities were struggling early Sunday to contain about 50,000 litres of crude oil that spilled into the sea off the eastern province of Rayong, threatening a major tourist beach.

The oil leaked from PTT Global Chemical Plc's pipeline at 6.50am Saturday, PTTGC said. A company spokesman said it was possible some of the oil could reach Mae Ramphung Beach, a popular tourist site in Muang Rayong district.

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Network threatens Map Ta Phut siege

Bangkok Post 01 October 2010

EASTERN SEABOARD : The Eastern People's Network is threatening to lay siege today to Thailand's largest industrial estate.

Most Map Ta Phut projects off hook

Bangkok Post 03 September 2010

Rayong villagers react emotionally, slam govt

The Administrative Court has ordered the operating permits of only two industrial projects in the Map Ta Phut area to be terminated, allowing 74 other earlier-suspended projects to go ahead.

The court on Thursday handed down its ruling in the case filed by Map Ta Phut villagers and the Stop Global Warming Association against eight state agencies in June last year.

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Businesses fear impact of setback

Bangkok Post 27 January 2010  

Business leaders yesterday repeated their pleas for the government to speed up the resolution of the Map Ta Phut case, saying the latest court verdict to reject requests to restart 30 projects had severely depressed the investment climate.

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Meeting on Map Ta Phut projects today

The Nation 26 January 2010  

The companies with 30 industrial projects paralysed by the court will meet today to chart a course to get them restarted as soon as possible.

Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) vice chairman Payungsak Chartsutipol yesterday said the private sector would thoroughly review the Central Administrative Court's injunction and how they should comply with it.

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Firms will have to bear more costs

The Nation 26 January 2010 | Pongphon Sarnsamak

Private companies will be responsible for any risks they incur while seeking licenses for new projects before the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry comes up with a final list of activities that might have serious environmental impacts, the Federation of Thai Industries said.

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Six workers hospitalised after latest Map Ta Phut gas leak

The Nation 13 December 2009

Six construction workers were hospitalised yesterday after a poisonous gas leaked out near a power plant at the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate in Rayong.

Reports by construction workers of a foul odour, sore throats and dizziness prompted the evacuation of about 200 workers from the Siam Steel Plate factory and other nearby sites at 8.30am.

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Hundreds evacuated after site gas leak

Bangkok Post 13 December 2009  

INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT PUTS MAP TA PHUT BACK UNDER SCRUTINY

RAYONG : Hundreds of construction workers were evacuated and four hospitalised after a gas leak at Map Ta Phut industrial estate - the second such incident in a week.

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GDP in 2010 to take sizeable hit from suspended projects

The Nation 05 December 2009

Economic growth next year is likely to be reduced by 0.2-0.5 percentage point due to the continued suspension of 65 projects in Map Ta Phut, according to the latest macroeconomic analysis by the Fiscal Policy Office.

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Map Ta Phut fiasco could impact economy "severely"

The Nation 14 December 2009 | ACHARA DEBOONME, EKARIN BUMROONGPUK

Map Ta Phut would be the greatest economic risk next year, given the magnitude of the impacts on Thailand's long-term attractiveness.

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Damage from Map Ta Phut ruling put at B100bn

Bangkok Post 13 December 2009 

The court ruling to uphold the order suspending 65 new industrial projects at Map Ta Phut industrial estate had damaged foreign investor confidence and the damage could be as high as 90 to 100 billion baht, Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) vice chairman Thanit Sorat said on Thursday.

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Court lifts ban on 11 industrial projects

Bangkok Post 03 December 2009  

The Supreme Administrative Court has ruled to lift a ban on 11 projects at the Map Ta Phut industrial estate - but to uphold the suspension of 65 others.

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Suwit's negligence costs Map Ta Phut industry dearly

Bangkok Post 03 December 2009  

The Supreme Administrative Court's verdict to suspend 65 of 76 projects, mainly related to the petrochemical industry, in Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate leaves wide open the question of exactly who is going to take responsibility for this matter.

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Cabinet scrambles over Map Ta Phut

Bangkok Post 03 December 2009  

Court ruling keeps 65 projects on hold

Cabinet members will meet urgently today after a court ruling kept in place a suspension order for 65 high-value projects at the Map Ta Phut industrial estate in Rayong.

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Map Ta Phut verdict due today

The Nation 02 December 2009 

All parties are hopeful the Supreme Administrative Court today will clear up confusion over the future of the 76 suspended industrial projects in Map Ta Phut.

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HIA guidelines by end of month

The Nation 25 December 2009 | Piyanart Srivalo, Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry will issue its regulations on health-impact assessments by the end of this month.

These will be used to enable the suspended Map Ta Phut industrial projects to comply with Article 67 of the Constitution.

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65 projects remain suspended

The Nation 02 December 2009

The Supreme Administrative Court on Wednesday permits 11 Map Ta Phut projects put on hold by a court injunction to go ahead.

Operations of the remaining 65 projects will still be suspended under the court injunction ordered in September.

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List of 11 Map Ta Phut projects released from injunction

The Nation 02 December 2009

List of 11 Map Ta Phut projects that can proceed as the Supreme Administraive Court revoked a court injunction that put on hold a total of 79 projects.

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Show corporate responsibility

Bangkok Post 02 December 2009 | EDITORIAL

That the ruling by the Supreme Administrative Court on the suspension of 76 industrial projects at Map Ta Phut, scheduled to be delivered today, comes a full month earlier than expected is good news, because the final verdict will put an end to all uncertainties and allow every party involved to move on in the right legal direction.

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Hair firm faces charge over chemical fire

Bangkok Post 01 December 2009 | Apinya Wipatayotin and Amornrat Mahitthirook

The Pollution Control Department plans to sue a Japanese hair products company for negligence over a chemical fire last week suspected to have left one person dead and injured nearly 80 others at Laem Chabang port in Chon Buri.

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PM sees environmental rules paving way for new industrial landscape

The Nation 18 December 2009

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday reiterated his wish to have new environmental rules ready by year-end, saying if the Map Ta Phut crisis could be resolved satisfactorily, it would pave the way for a new industrial-development landscape in Thailand.

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PM queries damage estimates

Bangkok Post 22 December 2009  

Court to decide fate of Map Ta Phut projects

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has cast doubt on the accuracy of an Industry Ministry estimate of the fiscal damage caused by the suspension of 65 industrial projects at Map Ta Phut.

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PTT mulls new court petition

Bangkok Post 26 January 2010  

Higher court last gasp on Map Ta Phut

PTT, the national energy flagship, is considering resubmitting its petition requesting its halted projects in Map Ta Phut restart to a higher court after the Administrative Court rejected its petitions on Friday, said company spokesman Atthapol Ruekphiboon.

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PM vows solution within 6 months

Bangkok Post 15 January 2010  

'Lack of trust' led to current impasse

The Map Ta Phut dispute will be resolved within six months but businesses must prepare to deal with tougher environmental regulations, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday.

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Technical committee takes up study into pollution

Bangkok Post 14 January 2010 | Apinya Wipatayotin

The four-party panel tasked with resolving the Map Ta Phut impasse has set up a technical committee to study the pollution problems at the industrial area and help the government come up with control measures.

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Effectiveness of measures up to players: Anand

The Nation 14 January 2010 | Pongphon Sarnsamak

The governmentappointed panel tasked with resolving Map Ta Phut's environmental problems yesterday urged the public and private sectors and local communities to be sincere and serious in implementing the four measures designed to comply with Article 67 (2) of the Constitution.

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Process begins to end legal deadlock

The Nation 12 January 2010 
 
A final process has begun which is aimed at ending the legal deadlock halting construction on 64 major industrial projects in the Map Ta Phut area of Rayong province.

The process, of ensuring that health- and environment-related assessments are conducted as required by the Constitution, began after a preliminary selection process was approved yesterday.

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Ministry rejects local pollution plan

Bangkok Post 07 January 2010 | Apinya Wipatayotin

The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry has rejected a local plan to reduce pollution at Map Ta Phut, claiming a "lack of sound measures to tackle industrial pollution".

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Estate developers' outlook unclear

The Nation 07 January 2010 | Nalin Viboonchart 

Despite the global economic recovery, industrial-estate developers are unable to forecast their 2010 business outlook because of the unclear Map Ta Phut situation.

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Environment issue at hand

The Nation 06 January 2010 

About 20 villagers from Map Ta Phut were today in Bangkok, asking for participation in the panel.

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Map Ta Phut has 'soured Japanese investors'

The Nation 07 January 2010 | Nalin Viboonchart

Thailand is no longer the most attractive Asian destination for Japanese investors, thanks to the Map Ta Phut fiasco, Munenori Yamada, president of the Japan External Trade Organisation's Bangkok office, said yesterday.

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Cabinet approves EIA/HIA framework

Bangkok Post 29 December 2009 

The cabinet has approved the revised ministerial regulations on the framework for industrial project environmental impact (EIA) and health impact (HIA) assessments and the public hearing process as proposed by the National Environment Board, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Tuesday.

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HIA, EIA regulation approved

The Nation 30 December 2009 | Hassaya Chartmontri

The Cabinet yesterday approved the ministerial regulation concerning the need for environmental impact assessment (EIA) and healthimpact assessment (HIA) reports.

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20 projects face higher legal hurdles

Bangkok Post 30 December 2009 | Nanchanok Wongsamuth

A total of 20 suspended projects at Map Ta Phut have weak legal grounds for seeking to overturn their court-ordered suspensions, says Industry Minister Charnchai Chairungruang.

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Map Ta Phut top priority in nationwide clean-up

The Nation 29 December 2009 | Janjira Pongrai  

Pollution Control Department plans air, water campaign for new year

Pollution and environmental problems around the Map Ta Phut industrial area of Rayong have been identified as the top priority of the Pollution Control Department next year.

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Green light for 19 projects to appeal

Bangkok Post 22 December 2009 

The cabinet on Tuesday gave the green light to 19 of the 65 suspended industrial projects at the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate to appeal to the Supreme Administrative Court for permission to proceed to ease the impact on the operators, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said.

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Court prepares to rule on suspended projects

Bangkok Post 01 December 2009 | Apinya Wipatayotin and Nanchanok Wongsamuth

Surprise early verdict in Map Ta Phut battle  

Map Ta Phut residents and businesses are anxiously awaiting an unexpectedly early verdict tomorrow by the Supreme Administrative Court on the suspension of 76 projects at the Rayong industrial estate.

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