Changes

After a well-publicized hunger strike against the plant, the Thai government agreed in July 2015 to set up a joint committee to review the environmental and health assessment of the project and consider renewable energy alternatives. While the coalition opposing the plant also wanted a freeze on a tender for the project's construction by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, the government said bidding would proceed but promised that no contracts would be signed during the project's review.<ref>[http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Prayut-puts-Krabi-plant-on-hold-30265127.html "Prayut puts Krabi plant on hold,"] The Nation Multimedia, July 24, 2015</ref>  On August 5, 2015, two private consortiums submitted bids to construct the plant: one was a consortium comprising Italian-Thai Development Plc and Power Construction Corp of China, and the second was a joint venture between Alstom (Thailand) and Marubeni of Japan. Egat deputy governor Rattanachai Namwong said he expected the winning bidder would be announced in four months.<ref>[http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/news/645100/2-groups-bid-on-krabi-coal-plant "2 groups bid on Krabi coal plant,"] Bangkok Post, Aug. 5, 2015</ref><ref>[http://www.voanews.com/content/in-picturesque-thailand-coal-plant-draws-protests/1891079.html "In Picturesque Thailand, Coal Plant Draws Protests ,"] Voice of America, April 11, 2014.</ref> In September 2015 EGAT said the plant would have only a small environmental impact on the area. The findings were immediately met with skepticism by many locals. The tripartite panel approved by the PM in July to review the project was still not set up because of delay caused by the abolition of the National Reform Council. The permitting consideration process is therefore still considered unfinished.<ref>[http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Krabi-power-plant-will-have-little-environmental-i-30268886.html "Krabi power plant 'will have little environmental impact'"] The Nation, Sep 16, 2015</ref>