Power plant part of Maung Aye

Power plant part of Maung Aye's pet project, says Maesai resident

An informed resident of Maesai told S.H.A.N. this morning the power plant under construction in the twin city of Tachilek across the river was part of General Maung Aye's plan to make the city an industrial zone. 

The lignite power plant, located on a 25 acre land near Ponglo Pagoda at Ban Sansai in Tachilek, is 4 km away from theborder. Its foundation was laid down by Gen Maung Aye, who, apart from being Vice Chairman of the ruling State Peace and Development Council and Commander-in-Chief of the Army, is also responsible for economic affairs, on 9 May last year. 

The cost of the plant that is expected to generate 12-megawatt of electricity is reported to be B. 250 million. The generator was purchased from Shandong Yangguang Engineering Corporation in China at a cost of B.160 million. The expenditure was reported to be underwritten by Myanmar Mayflower Bank, the largest shares of which belong to Wei Hsiaokang, the Chinese-Wa chieftain who is on the wanted list of both Thailand and the United States. 

Large deposits of lignite coal to be used at the plant are located in Monghpyak and Kengtung, 78 km and 160 km respectively north of Tachilek. Both had already been surveyed by Siam Lignite Company last year under the auspices of Maj-Gen Thein Sein, Commander of the Triangle Region Command with headquarters in Kengtung. 

Residents in Maesai, Chiangrai Province, had protested against their district officer on his return from the foundation stone laying ceremony in May last year. The grave effects of the power plant towards the environment and tourism were also discussed at a seminar at Wangthong Hotel in Maesai on 30 August.