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Published on July 23, 2007

Lop Buri villagers affected by a steel-mill operation slammed the factory yesterday for refusing to allow them to observe operations after it was allowed to undergo a test run to check if its milling facilities have been improved to conform to international safety standards.

On June 14, the Pollution Control Department ordered Nam Heng Steel to suspend operations for 60 days to repair and improve its facilities. On July 6, the company requested the department allow it to resume operations, claiming it had completed necessary repairs and maintenance.

The Lop Buri Provincial Industry Office invited concerned parties to observe the mill on Saturday, including Phattana Nikhom's assistant district chief, Tambon Delang Administrative Organisation and affected villagers.

However, the company refused to let the villagers enter the factory on Saturday to observe the test.

Pranorm Ruangsri, the leader of the villagers in Tambon Dee Lang, said they were not allowed to enter the factory and the Lop Buri Provincial Industry Office failed to talk the company into letting them in.

"The officials told us that the company had the right to give or deny permission to enter its compound. Then why did the department send the letter inviting us to join the observation?" she said.

Pranorm said the mill did not operate at full capacity on Saturday while it was under observation, judging by the noise, while it had run its machines at full steam for four consecutive nights earlier.

Casting doubt on the reliability of the procedure, she said: "The test operations will show that the mill does not release metal dust beyond legal limits and it will be allowed to resume operations. If this is the case, we will take to the streets to protest."

Sampan Kositpol, Factory Division chief of Lop Buri Provincial Industry Office, said the factory did not allow the villagers to observe the test operation because it needed to improve some facilities. Once they are all repaired, they will allow the villagers and the media to inspect the mill.

"The office will collect metal dust released from the mill from Saturday till tomorrow and even if the levels of dust particles are not beyond legal limits, the department will not give the factory the permission to continue its operation. We must go and inspect the factory once more," he said.

However Bunchoo Iam-ek, Lop Buri Provincial Industry Department chief, contradicted Sampan in an interview over the telephone. He said the department would allow the factory to continue its milling if the test found that the level of dust released is under the legal limits.

Sampan said the department would again check the dust levels without giving notice to the factory to avoid the allegation that officials had colluded with the factory.

Charin Tongsuk, Phattana Nikhom senior assistant district chief, said the responsible government officials must win the trust of the villagers that they are not siding with the factory.

Meanwhile, Dr Praparn Yongchaiyud who treats Sanom Phorat, an affected villager diagnosed two weeks ago with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), said the X-ray and blood test results had confirmed the man had COPD.

If his condition did not improve within six months, he would have to undergo a lung operation to remove any traces of metal dust, he said.

Sanom said if he had to undergo such an operation, he would take the factory to court. So far, they have not contacted him or expressed any interest in covering the medical expenses, he said.

Risk-group villagers from Tambon Dee Lang will undergo physical examination at Siriraj Hospital on August 9.

Somroutai Sapsomboon

The Nation