Free The Dying Beach by Angela Savage Page B

I remember,’ Mae Yada cried, ‘a terrible time. My own niece was among the dead.’
    â€˜People say it was because the temple wall cracked that bad luck visited our village,’ Uncle Amnat continued. ‘We do not wish this bad luck to come back again.’
    Mothers tightened their hold on their babies and several people touched the amulets they wore for protection around their necks.
    â€˜Professor Azim, could I invite you to respond?’ Nukun said.
    The engineer smiled again and leaned forward as he spoke through the interpreter.
    â€˜I understand Chief Amnat’s concerns and I am aware of the project you speak of. It is on the site of the abandoned project, of course, where the company is seeking to establish its new initiative. I want to reassure the village chief and everyone in his community that engineering techniques have come a long way in the past twenty-five years. In the unlikely event that we need to utilise explosives in the construction of the new project, we’ll be able to restrict the impact to the project site.’
    â€˜It’s hard to feel confident about your newfangled engineering techniques when you cannot even say for sure if there will be any more explosions,’ Mae Yada cut in again.
    The professor’s smile was unwavering as he listened to Kraichat’s translation. ‘Auntie makes a valid point. Perhaps it will inspire more confidence to know that regardless of whether additional blasting is required, the company has agreed to put me and my team at your disposal to conduct an audit to ensure the soundness of all public buildings in relation to seismic disturbances of any nature.’
    Pla saw confused looks on the faces of those closest to her. She caught the attention of Mae Yada, shrugged her shoulders and shook her head.
    â€˜Khun Kraichat,’ the old woman said. ‘Please ask the professor to explain again using simple words.’
    Professor Azim nodded in response to the request. ‘Of course, my apologies.’
    He cleared his throat and began again. ‘I will personally inspect and if necessary reinforce all public buildings in your village to ensure they can withstand vibrations caused by industrial use of explosives or even natural phenomena such as earthquakes.’
    â€˜Never heard of an earthquake in this district,’ Mae Yada muttered.
    â€˜You say you will reinforce the buildings as necessary,’ Chief Amnat spoke up. ‘But who will cover the cost of this reinforcement?’
    â€˜The company will cover the cost of my time and also any construction materials that are required. Assuming you agree with this proposal, villagers would be asked to contribute their labour.’
    â€˜That sounds reasonable to me,’ Bapit said.
    He straightened his bony shoulders to better show off the Charoen Sand and Gravel Supplies company logo on the chest pocket of his safari jacket. Mae Yada spat a jet of betel nut juice in his direction. Bapit ignored her.
    â€˜And the mosque in the neighbouring village?’ Uncle Amnat added.
    â€˜We will also inspect the mosque, strengthen it and any other public buildings if necessary. Same arrangement. Company covers costs, villagers provide labour.’
    â€˜You will need the approval of the imam.’
    Professor Azim smiled and nodded as though this wouldn’t be a problem.
    â€˜If I might also weigh in,’ Doctor Budsaba said.
    Nukun nodded for her to continue.
    â€˜My study of the public health records suggests the increased incidence of dengue fever in this and nearby villages was the result of seasonal variation and—’
    â€˜Simple words, please,’ Mae Yada interjected.
    â€˜Back at the time you referred to, many villages in the district experienced more cases of dengue fever than usual,’ Doctor Budsaba said, in the tone of a primary school teacher. ‘Some years are worse than others. If the monsoon starts early or lingers