Last update:
2017-09-23

Krabi coal-fired power station project, Thailand

Alternatives to coal are plenty; opponents to the Krabi plant made it clear they don't want more coal facilities but a greener and just economy based on sustainable tourism and clean energy



Description:

The town of Krabi is one of Thailand's most famous tourist destinations and also a centre of marine biodiversity in the region, providing livelihoods and revenue for local residents. The Krabi province is home to thousands of people who depend on fishing and tourism.

See more
Basic Data
Name of conflict: Krabi coal-fired power station project, Thailand
Country:Thailand
State or province: Krabi Province, Krabi District
Location of conflict:Krabi
Accuracy of locationMEDIUM (Regional level)
Source of Conflict
Type of conflict. 1st level:Fossil Fuels and Climate Justice/Energy
Type of conflict. 2nd level:Coal extraction and processing
Ports and airport projects
Thermal power plants
Specific commodities:Land
Coal
Project Details and Actors
Project details

The Krabi power station project proposed the construction of a 800 -870 MW coal-fired power station in Krabi, Thailand. Aside from the coal plant, a coal seaport would also be built in the Krabi Estuary. At least 2.3 million tonnes of coal would be imported every year to power the plant. Construction for the facility would begin in 2015 and the plant would start supplying electricity by 2019.

Project area:500
Type of populationRural
Affected Population:around 2,000
Start of the conflict:01/02/2013
Company names or state enterprises:Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand International Co. Ltd (EGAT) from Thailand
Relevant government actors:Ministry of Energy of Thailand
Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand
Environmental justice organizations (and other supporters) and their websites, if available:Greenpeace Thailand: http://www.greenpeace.or.th
Krabi Fisherfolks Network
Public Health Volunteer of Krabi
Thailand Coal Network
Conflict & Mobilization
IntensityMEDIUM (street protests, visible mobilization)
Reaction stagePREVENTIVE resistance (precautionary phase)
Groups mobilizing:International ejos
Local ejos
Neighbours/citizens/communities
Recreational users
Forms of mobilization:Development of alternative proposals
Involvement of national and international NGOs
Official complaint letters and petitions
Street protest/marches
Impacts
Environmental ImpactsPotential: Air pollution, Biodiversity loss (wildlife, agro-diversity), Food insecurity (crop damage), Soil erosion, Deforestation and loss of vegetation cover, Surface water pollution / Decreasing water (physico-chemical, biological) quality, Groundwater pollution or depletion, Large-scale disturbance of hydro and geological systems, Loss of landscape/aesthetic degradation
Health ImpactsVisible: Other Health impacts
Potential: Other environmental related diseases
Other Health impactsrespiratory problems and cancer
Socio-economical ImpactsPotential: Loss of livelihood, Loss of traditional knowledge/practices/cultures, Loss of landscape/sense of place
Outcome
Project StatusPlanned (decision to go ahead eg EIA undertaken, etc)
Conflict outcome / response:Repression
Under negotiation
Application of existing regulations
Proposal and development of alternatives:Greenpeace Thailand has proposed its projects for Krabi in a 2014 report. As an alternative to the coal-fired power plant, they say Krabi can be a 100% renewable energy province and propose a decentralized hybrid renewable energy system. Economically, Greenpeace has highlighted the large income from tourism (also eco-tourism) in Krabi that could suffer from the plant.
Do you consider this an environmental justice success? Was environmental justice served?:Yes
Briefly explain:For now (mid-2017) it seems like the plant will not be constructed thanks to opposition from local residents and a big campaign.
Sources & Materials
Juridical relevant texts related to the conflict (laws, legislations, EIAs, etc)

National Health Act, Thailand, B.E. 2550 (A.D. 2007)
[click to view]

References to published books, academic articles, movies or published documentaries

Greenpeace (2014), Krabi at the Crossroads, Dirty Coal VS. Clean Renewable Energy, Greenpeace Southeast Asia Report, published in 2014,
[click to view]

[1] Anti-coal power plant protest leaders detained by Thailand army
[click to view]

Krabi Power Plant, Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT)
[click to view]

Thailand's Power Demand Growth and the Potential of Coal Import, by Thanawat Nakawiro, EGAT, PowerPoint presentation, 2014,
[click to view]

In Picturesque Thailand, Coal Plant Draws Protests, by Steve Sandford, Voice of America, 11 April 2014
[click to view]

Fights at hearings over coal plans, by Pongphon Sarnsamak, The Nation, 10 March 2014
[click to view]

Kobkarn urged to halt Krabi coal plant, by Paritta Wangkiat, The Bangkok Post, 20 January 2015
[click to view]

Greenpeace goes over the edge to protest Krabi coal plant, by Kritsada Mueanhawong, Phuket Gazette, 25 March 2013
[click to view]

Related media links to videos, campaigns, social network

[2] Krabi power station. This article is part of the Coal Issues portal on SourceWatch, a project of CoalSwarm and the Center for Media and Democracy.
[click to view]

VIDEO: In Picturesque Thailand, Coal Plant Draws Protests, by Steve Sandford, Voice of America, 11 April 2014,
[click to view]

Meta information
Last update18/08/2019
Conflict ID:1751
Comments
Legal notice / Aviso legal
We use cookies for statistical purposes and to improve our services. By clicking "Accept cookies" you consent to place cookies when visiting the website. For more information, and to find out how to change the configuration of cookies, please read our cookie policy. Utilizamos cookies para realizar el análisis de la navegación de los usuarios y mejorar nuestros servicios. Al pulsar "Accept cookies" consiente dichas cookies. Puede obtener más información, o bien conocer cómo cambiar la configuración, pulsando en más información.