Another similarity between policies of the NPKC and NCPO is that they both benefit big
companies. In the former case, evacuated areas were prepared for large-scale commercial
plantations of eucalyptus. In the latter case, there is evidence indicating NCPO assistance to
large-scale business groups that have projects in various areas. For example, villagers in Khon
Kaen province’s Ban Namun have long opposed the petroleum-drilling survey undertaken by Apiko Limited Company. But after the coup, military and police helped guard and facilitate
the company’s transport of drilling equipment. They threatened villagers with the use of martial
law if they put up opposition. A similar event took place at Wang Sapung district in Loei
province, where local people oppose gold mining for its harmful environmental effects. Not
only did the military prohibit people from organizing meetings or campaign activities, they
also pressured people to allow the company to transport ore out of the mine in exchange for
the withdrawal of criminal cases against villagers participating in the movement. In the end,
people had to accept the military’s demand since the latter could use martial law to facilitate
transport of the ore.