BANGKOK – Thailand's prime minister says a government committee has approved construction of an 800-megawatt coal power plant near pristine beaches on the Andaman Sea.
The plant is to be built on the coast in Krabi, a famous tourist destination with soaring cliffs and white sands.
The announcement by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha that the National Energy Policy Committee gave the go-ahead was criticized by activists who worry the plant will pollute local waters and spoil scenery. They say it will damage tourism and fishing, and that eco-friendly alternatives should be considered instead.
Supporters of the plant say it will make up for a big energy shortfall in the country's south and wean it off electricity imports from neighboring countries.
The proposal will be reviewed before being forwarded to the Cabinet.
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