More than 7,000 demonstrators yesterday…rall[ied] against the planned construction of a coal-fired power plant in the area by IRPC Plc, formerly Thai Petrochemical Industry… Mr Suthi [coordinator of the Eastern Community Network] said the protesters wanted the company to scrap the planned construction of the 1,600-megawatt power plant because the plant would be located…near residential areas, fruit orchards and tourist attractions. The emission of harmful particles could put public health and the environment at risk, he said…IRPC's president Piti Yimprasert said the company would definitely not call off the project until the protesters could prove that it really would cause harm to the communities… Mr Piti said the company has begun an environmental impact assessment study for the project.