Pipeline protester faces charge for obstruction

The Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) has filed a complaint against a core leader of the Kanchanaburi Conservation Group, accusing her of preventing workers from laying the gas pipeline.

Thong Pha Phum police notified Phinant Chotirosseranee of the charge last week and told her to defend herself tomorrow.

She has been charged due to her organising of blockades to stop the PTT cutting trees in lush forest in Thong Pha Phum district to make way for the pipeline.

She has encouraged students from conservation clubs and other allies of environmental NGOs to camp out at the forest, forcing the PTT's contractor to halt work in the area.

"We will remain in the forest as long as possible and I'm ready to be arrested," said Mrs Phinant.

The threat of confrontation between the group and the pipe workers is increasing with bulldozers about to reach the camp to complete construction work. The PTT wants to get the group out of the area.

More than 50 students from conservation clubs at 16 universities have moved into the forest to support the group. They yesterday stopped five bulldozers from clearing bamboo, which wild elephants feed on.

Another group of students climbed Ta Kua mountain to urge workers to stop cutting trees.

The PTT is pressing ahead with the laying of the 260-km pipeline for a July 1 deadline. On that day gas will be delivered from the Yadana and Yetagun fields in Burma.