The Electricity Generating Authority (EGAT) of Thailand will close the eight sluice gates of Pak Moon dam hydro project on 16 June 2002.
In April 2001, the Thai cabinet told EGAT to open the gates for four months, but it was later extended to one year.
Environmental groups had maintained that opening the gates would restore ecology allegedly damaged by the dam. An EGAT spokesperson said the move had affected power production and EGAT was forced to buy power from Huay Hoh dam in Laos to cope with rising demand.