Maritime Traffic at Baan Don Bay in Thai South shut down; LPG shipments affected

SURAT THANI, THAILAND, May 12 (TNA) - Maritime traffic, including shipments of liquid petroleum gas (LPG), has reportedly paralyzed at Baan Don Bay in the southern province due to local fishermen’s protest, amid fears that local people may soon face an LPG shortage. The fishermen’s protest against local authorities and influential business persons at Baan Don Bay entered the second day Saturday, after negotiations between the local officials and protestors earlier in the day ended up fruitless. The protesters vowed that they will not withdraw their boats until their demand is met. A large number of the local fishermen began to docked about 100 boats at the mouth of Baan Don Bay on Friday, calling for the provincial authorities to pull out a three-kilometer-bamboo wall the local influential business operators have put up to prevent them from catching clams and going out fishing. The line of boats have paralyzed maritime traffic at the bay, blocking shipments of fuels, namely LPG, as well as passenger ferries to adjacent Thai resort islands, including Koh Pha Ngan, Koh Samui, and Koh Tao. (TNA)