March 21, 2007 : Last updated 04:42 pm (Thai local time)


The Nation


Protesters disrupt public hearing on potash-mining project

Udon Thani - Hundreds of protesters Wednesday surrounded Udon Thani Rajabhat University's president Charoon Thavornchak and splashed betel juice on his face to express their opposition against a potash-mining project in this northeastern province.

Charoon chairs a panel appointed by the Udon Thani provincial authority to gather local people's opinions about the project. However, he was seen as favouring the project.

Wednesday was the third day and the last day Charoon's panel planned to explain what the potash-mine project was about, and how it would benefit or affect local people at public forums.

The betel juice was also hurled at staffers who tried to bring Charoon out of the crowds of protesters.

The turmoil took place at around 9.30 am just after Charoon arrived at the Ban Huai Sam Pard School in Prachak Silapakhom subdistrict to begin the forum in which local people could raise questions and his panel would answer.

The Nation