Government scrambles for way out

The government is rushing to help the companies whose Map Ta Phut projects remain suspended get their plans unlocked. Industry Minister Charnchai Chairungrueng yesterday said that following the Supreme Administrative Court’s ruling on Wednesday to uphold the suspension of 65 projects, the government had drawn up a plan for the next steps in resolving the companies’ problems as follows: – Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has called for a meeting of all participants in the dispute; – The Industry Ministry will hold an internal meeting with its subordinate units to chart the way forward; – Guidelines for breaking the impasse will be sent to the four-party committee chaired by former prime minister Anan Panyarachun; and – The companies will be presented with the resulting proposals for consideration of how they can continue their projects. (The Nation)