Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is scheduled to visit Rayong’s Maptaput industrial district Nov. 20 to inspect the progress being made on the final projects remaining to resolve complaints about industrial pollution there.
Cabinet Secretary Kobsak Sapawasu and Assistant Industry Minister Puthipong Punakan met with local political and community leaders about the ongoing projects. Four main issues remain outstanding to settle claims stemming from the earlier court-ordered shutdown of 67 Maptaput factories: hospital services in the Pollution Control Area; health checks and medical care for people in the affected area, systems to measure volatile organic compounds and improving water distribution.
The secretary was told that the new water system is now being used by some in the community while all projects are slated for completion by April. However, an additional 100 million baht will be needed from the government for new pipelines.
Kobsak said he wants to verify schedules and work budgets before the prime minister’s inspection on Saturday.
