Fight looms over Chiang Rai, Thailand, industrial estate project.

Byline: Phitsanu Thepthong

Nov. 18--CHIANG RAI, Thailand -- Conservationists and industrialists are headed on a collision course over a proposed Chinese-Thai industrial estate in Chiang Saen district.

Several old chedis have been discovered on farmland earmarked for the new estate, projected to cover some 3,100 rai of land in Sri Don Mool tambon.

While provincial land officials say no formal transactions have yet taken place to purchase land for the proposed estate, some locals were reported to have already signed private agreements to sell land for the new project.

Several weeks ago, the Chiang Rai Chamber of Commerce, Chiang Rai senators and conservation groups called on the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand to delay the new project until a clearer assessment could be made of …