Japanese 'optimistic' despite new Map Ta Phut hitch

The move adds to the worries of industry, as without progress on these billion-baht projects, it is unlikely that new investment will take shape.

Japanese Ambassador Masato Otaka said Japanese investors hoped the controversial issue would be solved as soon as possible.

He said he was optimistic the court would hand down a positive verdict to investors.

"Japanese investors remain confident about expanding their investment in Thailand because they realise that the Thai government places importance on promoting foreign direct investment and keeps trying to improve the investment climate," he said.

Otaka contacted the Industry Ministry to check on the progress of the case.

Industry Permanent Secretary Witoon Simachokedee said the issue concerned Japanese investors as some projects belonged to them and others supplied raw materials to them.

If these projects are eventually scrapped, the operators' competitiveness will be affected and they need closure as soon as possible in order to set a direction for the future, he said.

"Japan once faced local resistance to industrial development similar to the case of Map Ta Phut. The ambassador shows readiness in giving support for Thailand to end the conflict and improve the investment climate in Thailand," he said.

The court was expected to decide on the injunction imposed by the Central Administrative Court. However, the judges agreed to wait until tomorrow for evidence from four government agencies at the request of the litigants.

The villagers and anti-pollution activists argued that the evidence was crucial in reflecting on the health hazards and environmental impacts inflicted on them for years. The evidence is being compiled from studies and research conducted by the National Human Rights Commission, five Senate committees, the National Economic and Social Advisory Council and the Burana Niwes Foundation.

Srisuwan Janya, chairman of the Stop Global Warming Association, which took the 76 projects to court, said the request for more evidence was not a delaying tactic but was important in "making the judges know about what they had not yet known".

The judges did not set a timeframe for the entire process to end but Srisuwan believes it would be wrapped up by January. He was confident the court would dismiss the companies' request to stay the injunction.

Suthi Atchasai, a co-petitioner representing villagers in Rayong, said the additional evidence might lead the court to categorise the 76 projects according to the level of environmental impacts they would cause.

"But personally I don't think the court will overrule the injunction," he said.

While the legal process continues, to work out long-term preventive measures, the four-party commission chaired by former prime minister Anand Panyarachun will hold its first meeting today at the Manangkhasila Residence in Bangkok.

Srisuwan said that at the meeting he would call for the removal of the natural resources and environment permanent secretary from the panel, due to the official's negligence.

He would also urge Anand to consider dismissing two proposals from the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry and the Industry Ministry to establish two panels to jointly sort out the issue.

The Federation of Thai Industries has set up working committees to gather all information related to all 76 projects.

Vice chairman Payungsak Chartsutipol said the committees would ensure faster action by companies.

The information detailing the state of the environment, health, laws and the status of each project would be used in drafting the guidelines in line with Article 67 of the Constitution.