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Piyasvasti said on Wednesday that there is no data what kind of power plant IRPC would invest in as the company has not yet submitted the bid. He said he did not know what to do with the protest, given that the company has not yet been granted any license for the generating. Thus, he would not go to meet the protesters.

 "If the locals do not want the power plant, they need to discuss with the investor. They need to know what fuel the plant would use and its impacts. They should discuss first before launching the protest," the minister said.

 He noted that the Energy Ministry has instructed IRPC executives to handle the scene if it wants to invest in such a big project.

 He also insisted that even if IRPC wins the bid in terms of power price and generating techniques, IRPC still needs public consent. Without the public consent which is part of the environment impact assessment (EIA), it would not be allowed to sign the power sale agreement with the government.

 "There are more stringent rules to regulate power plants as the new Consitution has given more voice to the public," he said.

 Meanwhile, IRPC President Piti Yimprasert said on Wednesday that he is ready to join a televised debate, to express his opinions to the public. However, he said he would not seek a meeting with the protesters who demand a written promise that IRPC would not invest in a power plant.

 "It's uncertain if IRPC would be ready to submit the power generating bid on October 19. But preparation is necessary for future investment. This will benefit the country in terms of fuel variety. Meanwhile, if our investment is blocked, it would not affect the company's revenue," he said.

- The Nation