Designed by a Spanish team, "Mountains of Remembrance" comprises a cluster of five towers designed to look like a temple with stupas rising up from a forest. It will house a meditation centre, a museum, an amphitheatre, restaurants and shops. If there are no changes to the plan, the memorial will be erected in Khao Lak Lamru National Park within two years.

Surapol Duangkha, secretary-general of Wildlife Fund Thailand, said he was afraid the memorial would be another government project that will disturb forest and wildlife resources in the country.

"To build a monument, a road or even a dam inside a national park is no different. It can affect the protected natural resources. The only difference is that the monument might be smaller," he said.

Though the Spanish team did not elaborate about the actual size, the model they presented demonstrated the stupas are much higher than the surrounding trees and will be clearly seen from a distance.

Surapol also questioned the necessity of having such a large memorial. He said the NEB, which has the authority to review and comment on any project that might have an adverse impact on the environment before it is passed for Cabinet approval, should review the "Mountains of Remembrance".

Nisakorn Kositrat, secretary-general of the Office of Natural Resources and Environment Policy and Planning, said although the memorial will be built in a national park, an environmental impact assessment was not required. 

Pennapa Hongthong

The Nation