Government House, Cabinet clears way for PTT to use mangrove forest area in Bang Pakong River to lay gas pipeline to support Phra Nakhon Tai Power PlantMrs. Ratklao Intawong Suwannakiri, Deputy Government Spokesperson, revealed that the Cabinet has approved PTT Public Company Limited to utilize the mangrove forest area in the Bang Pakong River, Tambon Bang Pakong and Tambon Tha Sa-an, Amphoe Bang Pakong, covering an area of ??3 rai, for the implementation of the onshore natural gas pipeline system project from Bang Pakong to Phra Nakhon South Power Plant, as proposed by the Ministry of Energy, in order to accommodate the increasing demand for natural gas from the increase in power plants in the capital region, according to the Power Development Plan of Thailand 2018-2037. PTT will lay a 36-inch pipeline under the high-voltage power line, starting from the BP4 natural gas pressure control station in Tambon Tha Kham, Amphoe Bang Pakong, Chachoengsao Province, to Phra Nakhon South Power Plant in Tambon Bang P rong, Amphoe Mueang Samut Prakan, Samut Prakan Province, a distance of 57 kilometers, with an investment of 13.59 billion baht, expected to be completed by 2025.The Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Budget Bureau (B.E.) and the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) considered and found no objections. However, if there is construction of a natural gas pipeline system or any other construction in the highway area, permission must be requested from the Department of Highways in accordance with the procedure and measures to prevent and mitigate environmental impacts must be strictly implemented. The cost of planting and maintaining replacement mangrove forests is not less than 20 times the mangrove forest area permitted. The B.E.B. sees fit for PTT to consider spending from operating income.Source: Thai News Agency