EGAT and Life Quality Development of Communities in Mae Moh Power Plant, Mae Moh District, Lampang Province

Abstract

The longstanding environmental conflict since 1994 between the Mae Moh villagers and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), which runs a local lignite mining and power generation, has never been satisfactorily solved. Although, the Mae Moh power plant has installed high-efficiency flue gasdesulfurization (FGD) to remove sulfur dioxide together with quality control measures in accordance with international standards and has also established a public relations agency to strengthen its relationships with the surrounding communities with a community development fund at least 400 million baht per year approved by the Cabinet, the problems have continued to persist even with more new problems. This can be seen from many litigation cases put forth by families against the plant, asking it to pay for the damages and many objections to its mining activities. This study has proposed the holistic approach to manage the fund for improving the environments of the communities around the plant and public relations. The approach is based on sufficiency economy, the King’s philosophy, which is in accordance with the geo-social circumstances, culture and traditions of the communities. The communities are culturally diverse and dynamic which can adopt the policies and activity plans for societies and environments. The power plant is an exemplary management model that can be put into implementation leading to cooperation and a win-win situation.