bangkok thai authorities arrest 16 people protest construction coal-fired power plant draw criticism military government right activists environmentalists plan power plant southern province songkhla consist two 1,000-megawatt units part power development plan 2036 activists object expect environmental health impact communities area 16 protesters arrest monday travel thepa district site plant provincial capital present petition prime minister prayuth chan-ocha due city tuesday meet incident show true face thailand military dictators commit long list abuse repressions since may 2014 coup sunai phasuk thailand researcher u.s.-based group human right watch tell reuters six protesters injure scuffle police say anti-coal activist supat hasuwannakit use force uncalled supat tell reuters police officer injure police say add 16 charge block traffic assault authorities resist arrest police request court detain tara buakamsri country director greenpeace southeast asia say statement action protesters reflect complete failure government promote peaceful inclusive society thepa power plant legitimacy build group say first unit power plant due begin operate 2021. environmental health impact assessment complete august pending approval national environment board thai police arrest 16 protest coal-fired power plant