Statement of the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand on
the solution reached by the Government and the People’s Network
concerning Krabi–Thepa coal–fired power plants

          Following a hunger strike staged by the People’s Network to Protect Krabi–Thepa Coasts: End to Coal-fired Power Plants in front of the United Nations Office in Bangkok since 12 February 2018, demanding the government to cancel plans to build two coal–fired power plants in Krabi and Songkhla provinces, today an agreement is signed between the Minister of Energy and representatives of the Network to find a common solution with the government’s agreeing to conduct a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) to determine the suitability of the projects prior to their implementation, resulting in the end of the protest.
          The National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRCT), as an organization mandated by the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2560, in section 247 (3), to recommend appropriate measures or ways to prevent or address human rights violations to the National Assembly, Council of Ministers and relevant agencies, has closely monitored the situation of protest against the construction of Krabi–Thepa coal–fired power plants with serious concern.     In this connection, the NHRCT would like to make recommendations to all parties as follows:
          1. The NHRCT commends the government for taking into consideration the views of the people who are affected by the said projects and appreciates the adherence of those involved in the protest to a peaceful means of assembly.
          2. It is necessary to set out rules and procedures for the entire process of conducting the strategic environmental assessment (SEA), which would be useful in determining the strategic direction of development policy, and to ensure the full participation of those affected and the public in general in order that the outcome of the study is acceptable to all parties.
          The NHRCT reaffirms the principles of public participation in government development projects, freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly. The protest against the Krabi–Thepa coal–fired power plants is a good example which shows that allowing people to exercise their right to freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly is not something to be feared. Instead, a peaceful negotiation can reconcile different views and bring about a constructive outcome that is beneficial to the country.

 

National Human Rights Commission of Thailand
20 February 2018