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- Sep 9, 2006
The planned construction of a sugar mill in Cambodia's Koh Kong Industrial
Park adjacent to this eastern province has raised fears of possible
environmental damage to the Thai coastline. Supoj Liadprathom, chairman of
Trat's chamber of commerce, said Khon Kaen Sugar Industry Plc (KSL), a Thai
firm, is the major shareholder in the four-billion-baht sugar mill project.
Mr Supoj fears that waste water from
the mill could pose environmental threats to the Thai coastline in Trat,
given its close proximity to Koh Kong. The industrial park on the island is
located only 5-6km from the nearest Thai territory and some 10km from Trat's
coastline.
Unless a proper waste treatment
facility is built, the mill's production will certainly pose an
environmental threat to Thailand's tourist attractions nearby such as Koh
Kud and Koh Chang islands, as well as the local fishery business, he said.
Trat deputy governor Chonchuen
Boonyanusan said the mill, covering about 40-50 rai, would prove a boon for
the Cambodian province [Koh Kong] as many jobs would be created. There would
also be fewer illegal Cambodian migrants entering Thailand to look for jobs.
He dismissed the concerns over
potential environmental damage, saying he trusted the Thai investor to have
proper anti-pollution facilities in place.
KSL has become a business partner with
Cambodian Senator Pad Supapa, who supervises Koh Kong Industrial Park, by
co-investing in a sugar plantation and the mill project on Koh Kong. KSL now
has a 50% stake in the joint venture while Mr Pad holds 20% shares. The
remaining shares belong to a Taiwanese investor.
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