5/12/2005 - The result of a study commissioned on the creation of a palmoil city has specified that Surat Thani is appropriate for the project.

Surat Thani Governor Wijit Wichaisarn has revealed that a studycommissioned on creating a palm-oil production province has pinpointedSurat Thani as being the most appropriate province for the scheme.Governor Wijit said Surat Thani has abundant high quality-palm growingareas with ample water sources and good road access. The province also hasan accommodating industrial district, coupled with support from theprivate sector and people in the area.

He said the province is currently coordinating with the Ministry ofAgriculture and Cooperatives in rapidly arranging for the creation of thepalm oil city as soon as possible. Mr. Wijit noted that this wouldaccommodate the government's policy to increase palm oil production foruse in creating bio-diesel, as a replacement for the more expensive oilused at the moment.

The Surat Thani governor also said he was gathering opinions from theprivate sector and people in the province to have them participate indesignating the site for the establishment of a palm oil city, in which henoted that several districts exist as choices for selection.