Date – March 15, 2010 

The Japanese authorities are pressing the Thai government to hasten to solve the Map Ta Phut situation, while nine more projects, including Indorama Petrochem’s purified terephthalic acid production, have become targets in a new legal battle.

According to a report, the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Japanese External Trade Organisation (JETRO) have met with Industry Minister Charnchai Chairungruang and proposed a solution to the Map Ta Phut situation.

METI reportedly submitted a letter signed by its minister Masayuki Naoshima asking the Thai industry ministry to hasten the process to solve problems for the projects of the Japanese investors.

According to the document, the Thai government should come up with clear regulations on how to classify businesses with risks. It also said the Japanese investors are ready to comply with the regulations on environmental and health management in according to the standards.

Meanwhile, the Stop Global Warming Association has filed a request to the Administrative Court to halt nine more projects, namely the purified terephthalic acid (PTA) production project of Indorama Petrochem, glass sand mining project of Krungkasem Partnership, the environmental impact assessment of the Hemaraj Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate of Thai Ethoxylate, the Nong Faeb harbor of Asia Terminal, steel production project of Eastern Property Steel, a power plant of Glow SPP 3, a power plant of Gheco-one, the Huay Somong reservoir of the Royal Irrigation Department, and TNP2 power plant of National Power 2.

The association believes all these projects may cause severe health impact to the communities.