The Nation reported that Thailand’s leading steel manufacturer Sahaviriya Group may have to reconsider its steel mill project at Bang Saphan in Prachuap Khiri Khan due to the marathon protest of villagers against environmental damage.

As per report, hundreds of locals led by Mr Jintana Keawkhow, leader of the natural and environmental conservation network of Bang Saphan, rallied against Sahaviriya Iron and Steel at both the Industry Ministry and Government House.

Ms Jintana Kaewkhao, a protest leader, said the Administrative Court had issued an injunction halting the project of Sahaviriya Steel Industry until mandatory environmental studies were finalized and disputes over land ownership settled. She also demanded that in future other projects that cause large-scale pollution should not be permitted near the district.

The protestors submitted a petition to Industry Minister Mr Charnchai Chairungrueng asking for a delay in releasing the list of businesses that will cause serious effects on communities.

Mr Charnchai said his ministry's inspectors would go to the area soon to investigate the facts.

However Mr Chaipat Khe-mapirak deputy MD of the company refuted the accusations, saying that title to the site belongs to the company. He denied that the company had encroached into a national forest reserve. He said that “The Forestry Department on October 1, 2007 demonstrated that most of the company's land lies outside the forest.”

(Sourced from www.nationmultimedia.com)