“Any move to arrange the upcoming forums in a way that endorses the planned coal-fired power plants will only sow seeds of conflicts,” Prasitchai Nu-nuan, a leader of the Save Andaman from Coal Network, said during the weekend.

Earlier this month, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) set up a committee to promote public understanding on the South’s energy situation. Chaired by Army chief General Chalermchai Sittisart, the committee will organise three public forums in Surat Thani, Krabi and Songkhla provinces on Monday.

Chalermchai said the opinions gathered from the forum would be forwarded to the NCPO.