Investment to rise after Map Ta Phut ruling.

Byline: The Nation.

Govt will uphold environmental standards, PM assures villagers

More foreign direct investment is anticipated particularly next year, as the Central Administrative Court's ruling and the National Environment Board's list of 11 harmful activities last week addressed all ambiguous points which had delayed 65 projects in Map Ta Phut and forced foreign investors to adopt a wait-and-see attitude.

As investment prospects are beginning to brighten, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday sought to pacify activists and villagers in the wake of the Map Ta Phut virtual go-ahead, saying the government is adhering to every international standard and certain steps taken for environmental protection had gone beyond constitutional requirements.

"Measures taken have taken into account people's quality of life as the main priority," he said, …