Rayong Province Suffers as Thailand's LNG Expansion Threatens Coastal Fisheries

In Thailand's Rayong province, fisherfolk are facing multiple impacts from industrial expansion, particularly from the construction of a MapTaPhut Phase 3 port and large-scale investment projects including liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities.

The LNG development in eastern provinces aims to position Thailand as a regional LNG hub. However, this has disturbed and threatens to destroy coastal fisheries resources that communities have long relied on.

'We used to fish regularly, and we are at ease earning money from fishing,' said one fisherman in the Klonglawon community of Rayong province.

The expansion of LNG projects has been criticized for its ecological damage, including the destruction of marine ecosystems, fish habitats, and marine resources. The community's rights to marine resources have been violated as they can no longer fish and earn income from their profession.