Prachin Buri residents rally against EEC expansion, demand Anutin cancel plan
PRACHIN BURI — 17 August 2026, Residents and environmental rights advocates rallied outside the Prachin Buri Provincial Government Complex on Monday to oppose plans to bring the province into the Eastern Economic Corridor, saying they would remain at the site until Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul formally signed an order halting the move. Sumet Rianphongnam and […] The post Prachin Buri…
On August 17, 2026, residents and environmental activists gathered outside the Prachin Buri Provincial Government Complex to protest against plans to integrate the province into the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). The protesters, representing the Prachin Strong Network, vowed to remain at the site until Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul officially signed an order ceasing the inclusion of Prachin Buri in the EEC.
The demonstrators displayed banners demanding authorities reconsider the development plans, citing potential impacts on local communities, livelihoods, natural resources, and the environment. They called for genuine public consultation before any projects could proceed, emphasizing that they would not tolerate insufficient consideration of their concerns.
The group alleged that the EEC policy prioritized economic growth and investor interests over environmental protection, community rights, and local ways of life. They highlighted six main reasons to oppose Prachin Buri's inclusion in the EEC, including concerns over agriculture, tourism, natural resources, existing industrial impacts, insufficient feasibility studies, and land pressure.
The protesters also raised concerns about increased water demand leading to potential dam construction in the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai World Heritage Site, endangering upstream forests and biodiversity. They asked for the government and the EEC Policy Committee to reverse their decision and halt the process of adding Prachin Buri to the EEC.
They demanded transparency, allowing local participation, addressing pollution and industrial waste issues, and providing compensation for affected communities before any further industrial expansion.
At approximately 11:00 a.m., Prachin Buri Deputy Governor Chanathip Khokmanee and MP Amnat Wilawan met with the protesters and claimed the government had received their concerns, stating that the project had already been halted. However, the protesters were unsatisfied with the explanation and demanded a signed document from Anutin formally suspending and cancelling Prachin Buri's inclusion in the EEC.
They vowed to remain overnight at the government complex until they received the document and requested access to basic facilities for their overnight stay.
Written by urgent.news from Khaosod English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
