Climate change, marine pollution and contaminated ground water are among the environmental threats that have severely damaged the livelihood of Rayong and Chon Buri residents, southern Thailand,according to a report by a local journalist in a recently launched book.
Sompol Yostasak, editor of Sriracha newspaper, says environmental problems at the eastern seaboard industrial estate have been ignored by government agencies, which mainly focus on common environmental problems such as industrial waste and waste water. Established 20 years ago, the eastern seaboard comprises two major industrial estates, including Laem Chabang in Chon Buri and Map Ta Phut in Rayong. Centres for cement and petrochemicals production.
"While existing environmental problems remain unsolved, many new problems have emerged, creating havoc for the marine ecology and the locals’ livelihood," the report says. The article is published in the fourth edition of Mua Pla Ja Kin Dao (literally, When Heaven Meets Hell), a yearly report of 10 top environmental issues. The book was launched on Friday by the Thai Society of Environmental Journalists with support from the Environmental Quality Promotion Department.
