A coal-fired power plant, petrochemical industries and similar factories will be constructed in emerging Dawei Special Economic Zone which is being implemented in Yephyu Township of Dawei District in Thaninthari Region. As a result, these industries will turn out health hazard to local people and will have negative impacts on the environment.
This 250 square kilometer massive project is established by the Italian-Thai Development Co., Ltd with 75 year-contract.
U Soe Thein from Dawei Township, said, “Local residents do not have knowledge about advantages and disadvantages of this project. Coal-fired power in this project may cause health hazards to them. They should be informed about it.”
Dawei Special Economic Zone was allowed by the previous government in accordance with ‘The Myanmar Special Economic Zone Law’. Paragraph number 5 of this law states that ‘The Special Economic Zone includes high tech industrial zones, information and telecommunications technology zones, export processing zones, port area zones, logistics and transportation zones, scientific and technological four research and development zones, service business zones, sub-trading zones and zones prescribed by the Government, from time to time."
Ko Thant Zin from this area said, “The suspended factories from Map Ta Phut will be relocated from Thailand to Myanmar. South central Thailand on the shores of the Gulf of Thailand experienced air and water pollution. The risk of cancer diseases increased three folds, and that of blood cancers five folds than other areas.”
Dawei Deep Sea Port and Special Economic Zone will engulf 29 villages of Yephyu Township in Thanintharyi Region.
Ko Thant Zin said, “The coal-fired power plant in this project will generate 4,000 megawatts. It was learnt that surplus electricity from this zone will be sold to Thailand.”
The project will include chemical industries, petrochemical factories, paint factories, rubber factories and foodstuff industries. These factories require many chemicals in their manufacturing processes. As these chemicals can pollute air, water and soil in this area, they should be discharged systematically.
Residents from Map Ta Phut area demanded their rights and filed lawsuits against those factories in 2010 for health hazards and environmental impacts caused by those industries.
