RATCHABURI, 28 November 2013 The forum to gather public opinions on water infrastructure in Ratchaburi province was called off early on Wednesday after running into opposition by locals.
The public opinion forum, held at Muban Chombueng Rajabhat University, was meant to gather the thoughts of local residents on the various water projects within Module A5 of the water resource management master plan. The projects will have effects on residents in 2 districts of Ratchaburi, namely Mueang district and Damnoen Saduak district, according to the locals.
Around 5,000 people expressed their opposition to the water management plan by wearing T-shirts with messages against the projects and by holding up protest placards. Those who opposed the projects said the projects would cause problems for Ratchaburi locals, as the province had been designated as an area that would accommodate flood water from elsewhere. They also said the narrators present to explain the details of the project were unable to answer their queries.
Those at the event voted to call off the forum, and handed over around 10,000 signatures of people opposing the water projects to Ratchaburi governor Nisit Chansomwong. Some also invited fellow opponents of the projects to continue expressing their rejection of the plan at Ratchaburi City Hall
