[puzobok]

Dark cloud over Samut Sakhon
Locals in the province say they are determined to continue the struggle that cost activist Thongnak Sawekjinda his life _ to get state agencies to enforce regulations governing the storage and transport of coal in the province

Published: 4/09/2011 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: Spectrum

At first glance, Chuchai Suddee, wearing dark glasses and chatting with fishermen at the Samut Sakhon Sakhon port where he acts as fish market deputy, looks to be a very large man. But he's not really that big; he's wearing a bullet-proof vest, and for good reason. His friend Thongnak Sawekjinda was shot dead in front of his house at about 10am on July 28 because of his leadership role in opposing the unregulated transport of coal up the Thachin River from the Gulf of Thailand and over Samut Sakhon roadways. The province is dotted with five storage and three separation facilities for imported coal which is used in privately owned factories. The locals say coal dust and smoke released during transport and storage is causing serious health and environmental hazards in the province.


More + pics: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/inve...r-samut-sakhon