Rayong Gov. Tawatchai Terdphaothai convenes
the first meeting of the Maptaput Center for Environmental and
Industrial Problems.
Theerarak
Suthathiwong
With most the legal challenges to the Maptaput
industrial zone resolved, a new Rayong center set up shop this month to
keep a close eye on the area’s factories.
Rayong Gov. Tawatchai Terdphaothai presided over the
first meeting of the Maptaput Center for Environmental and Industrial
Problems June 14. Attended by central and local government officials and
community leaders, the board meeting laid out the mission of the center
responsible for monitoring and overseeing the implantation of strict
pollution-control measures mandated by the courts over the past two
years.
Tawatchai said the center will also watch factories
to ensure they comply with environmental-impact assessment laws and
serve as a forum for residents and business owners to meet and discuss
concerns.
He said such a forum is essential for industry to
understand the attitudes of residents regarding air and water pollution,
health and education.
The center is not fully operational yet, however, as it is waiting on
the Industry and Interior ministries to finalize guidelines on the
board’s actual authority over such matters.
