Nattapong visited the southern border to hear concerns from networks opposing the Yamu waste power plant and Pattani Bay. He suggested opening the bay's mouth to allow seawater inflow after restoring the ecosystem and plans to establish a working group to study long-term solutions.
At 14:00 on 17 July 2026, in Pattani Province, Mr. Nattapong Ruangpanyawut, party-list MP and leader of the Prachachon Party, spoke about his field visit to study the sandbar issues of Pattani Bay and to listen to concerns from networks opposing the Yamu waste power plant. He said the visit aimed to gather environmental issues, especially regarding the waste power plant and Pattani Bay, and that he brought several parliamentary committee chairs along to collect problems to present in parliament.
Regarding the Yamu waste power plant site, local residents were largely unaware that a large power plant would be established there, causing concern. He had the chance to speak with representatives from Pattani Province, learning that there was still time to explain the project to locals since no agreements to commence operations had been signed yet. He said he would take the matter to coordinate through parliamentary mechanisms.
As for Pattani Bay, which previously had a large project by the Marine Department with a budget exceeding 600 million baht involving dredging that damaged the ecosystem, local residents said they used to catch more mullet fish and other abundant aquatic life. However, after the project, the ecosystem deteriorated and catches declined. They proposed opening the bay’s mouth further to allow seawater inflow to restore abundance. This proposal will be further studied in parliament, with agencies called to provide explanations.
Mr. Nattapong added that besides addressing immediate issues, establishing a working group to study long-term solutions for restoring Pattani Bay’s ecosystem is the most crucial part.
