“We are under 'Development discourse' which has a group of people benefiting and groups that are affected or at a disadvantaged position. People in Rayong province often say that we have to sacrifice for ‘development’ but ‘development’ offered them nothing but dismay. People’s livelihood as fishermen have totally changed. And I don't know if there will be anyone who will carry on this tradition or not...”
“...Massive development along the eastern seaboard and Rayong Province includes sea reclamation and construction of a port. The expansion of the industrial sector has affected the way of life of local fishermen. “Coastal communities depend on natural resources and the environment. They earn a living in fishing which is a major economy of Rayong even before this "Special Development Zone" was built. We need to value this livelihood, this way of life, and pass it on to future generations.”
During the development of Thailand’s Eastern Seaboard, the locals faced projects from reclamation of the sea to the construction of the port in Map Ta Phut.
In the name of development, agricultural land was widely converted into industrial zones. An economic scheme designed to expand the economy, the EEC, encroached into the seaside areas, damaging the livelihood of local fisherfolk as the area as marine life dwindled.
The LNG import terminal in Map Ta Phut, Rayong, is an echo of this story.
The terminal feeds two gas-hungry JBIC-financed power plants: Gulf SRC Gas-Fired Combined Cycle Power Plant (for which JBIC provided US$227 million) and Gulf PD Natural Gas-Fired Combined Cycle Power Plant (for which JBIC provided US$208 million).
In addition to biodiversity loss caused by marine traffic, an oil spill obliterated krill – an essential part of the marine ecosystem. Largehead hairtail catches that once weighed tonnes now weigh kilograms. No agency or entity has ever been held accountable
Now communities are fighting for fair compensation, including demanding environmental restoration. But neither government nor private parties are taking responsibility.
