ABSTRACT
Pak Mun illustrates the issues that can arise in determining fair compensation for people affected by dam construction. Facing scrutiny by environmental nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that opposed large dam construction, Thailand's Electrical Generating Authority (EGAT) made their best effort to minimize adverse impacts of the dam and to establish equitable compensation. EGAT committed itself to improve the living standards of affected households, to provide a range of options, and to implement resettlement with the participation of the affected people. NGOs found willing partners in the disgruntled villagers to protest compensation and resettlement plans. NGOs organized resettlers to protest for higher rates, resulting in successive renegotiations of compensation. The focus of resettler displeasure was on the compensation for lost fishing income. The fishing compensation issue was not handled well. All those compensated received the same compensation package regardless of whether they fished part time for home consumption or earned most of their living from fishing.
