VOA标准英语2014--In Picturesque Thailand, Coal Plant Draws Protests 泰国火力发电厂引发抗议

 

In Picturesque¹ Thailand, Coal Plant Draws Protests 泰国火力发电厂引发抗议

KRABI, THAILAND — Environmental activists² in Thailand are protesting plans to reopen an 800-megawatt coal plant in a coastal³ region, Krabi, that is popular with eco-tourists. The controversy⁴ pits Thailand’s growing energy needs against its image as a seaside paradise.

Along the southwestern coast, tourism is big business, worth more than $40 million a year.

Despite rapid development, Krabi, a coastal province, is still recognized as a green tourism zone and its wetlands are included on an international conservation list.

To meet rising demand for electricity, authorities are planning to restart a local power plant, which will bring ships hauling coal near parks and beaches popular with tourists.

Near the power plant’s location in Krabi town, fisherman Manit Bootpheaw remembers the health problems from the 90's when it was last active.

"In the past when they burn the coal through the stacks, the smoke would completely cover my house. It affected⁵ our family eight months a year, and during the rainy season we couldn't use the rainwater because it was acid rain," Manit recalled.

The public is hungry for more information, and many attended recent meetings between officials from Electric Generating Authority of Thailand and local leaders. But critics say EGAT is only telling one side of the story.

"This is a concern for the region's environmental problems because we know the production of energy from coal is the main cause for climate change," said Chariya Senpong, of Greenpeace Southeast Asia.

Outbreaks of violence between supporters and opponents of the plant have already created divisions within the community.

Thai human rights lawyer Niran Phithakwatchara said EGAT needs to do more to listen to locals about their objections.

"The company needs to work with the people and provide complete information and take advice from the community so they are part of the decision-making," said Niran.

 

If the plant moves forward, it is expected to be complete in 2019. In the meantime, opponents are hoping to promote renewable energy sources as a solution to the region’s rising energy demands.

1 picturesque   

adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的

参考例句：

• You can see the picturesque shores beside the river.在河边你可以看到景色如画的两岸。
• That was a picturesque phrase.那是一个形象化的说法。

2 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 coastal   

adj.海岸的，沿海的，沿岸的

参考例句：

• The ocean waves are slowly eating away the coastal rocks.大海的波浪慢慢地侵蚀着岸边的岩石。
• This country will fortify the coastal areas.该国将加强沿海地区的防御。

4 controversy   

n.争论，辩论，争吵

参考例句：

• That is a fact beyond controversy.那是一个无可争论的事实。
• We ran the risk of becoming the butt of every controversy.我们要冒使自己在所有的纷争中都成为众矢之的的风险。

5 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。