NESDB TO REVAMP MASTER PLAN

       The National Economic and Social Development Board has been tasked with revising the Kingdom's industrial-development master plan, to clarify the long-term direction in this regard, Deputy Prime Minister Korbsak Sabhavasu said yesterday.
       Speaking at a seminar entitled "Direction for Industrial Development under HIA Criteria" hosted by the Economic Reporters Association, Korbsak said it was difficult for industries and local communities to grow together.
       "We gave support to the industrial sector for decades by focusing on economic growth but were rarely concerned about the impact on other areas. However, Map Ta Phut is a good case study for making us consider whether we've gone in the right direction for developing our industries," he told the audience, which consisted mostly of economic reporters but included some environmentalists.
       Growing environmental concerns have resulted in delays in implementing some industrial projects. There have been protests by local communities, and they have had to comply with the environmental rules under Article 67 of the Constitution, but the authorities have yet to iron out guideline inconsistencies.
       Revision of the master plan will be completed this year. The new version will classify the effects of each industry and indicate possible locations for accommodating industries with high environmental impact.
       Korbsak said despite the government's strong determination to steer the economy without harming people's health or the environment, it would not change the overall economic structure by halting promotion of export-oriented industries, which account for 60-70 per cent of gross domestic product.
       "We would do better to develop those areas we are good at, such as agriculture. If possible, should we encourage heavy industries that affect our people and the environment to operate outside the country, like developed countries do?" he said.
       He said new projects planned for the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate would find it difficult to pass an environmental-impact assessment (EIA), because of the density of plants in the area. Some 50 projects worth a combined Bt280 billion will be the last group to receive EIAs.
       After the seminar, he said he personally objected to allowing steel smelters in the South, which should be kept pristine for tourism rather than used for manufacturing.
       Sonthi Kochawat, director of the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning's EIA Monitoring and Development Centre, said his agency would adopt strategic environmental assessments in evaluating the impact of industrial sites before approving an EIA for a project.
       "We'll place greater importance on assessing the appropriateness between an industrial project and its location, in order to squash conflicts between manufacturers and local communities at the start," he said.
       He said the new guidelines for approving EIAs would take effect on December 30. They will feature evaluations of public-health impacts and allow greater public participation.
       Meanwhile, Supoj Songsiang, a member of the Bang Saphan Preservation Network, said it would be difficult to persuade locals to agree to having factories built in their backyard no matter how strict the laws and regulations.
       "Even though the new regulations will increase participation by local communities, in fact we'll still be treated with double standards," he said.
       Panrat Phechpakdee, director of the Federation of Thai Industries' Industrial Environment Institute, said the private sector was not worried about the changes to the laws and regulations, but they did want the relevant agencies to announce them as soon as possible.