Opponents of the project state that it will eliminate around 1,760 hectares (17.6 km2) of low-lying forest, and reduce the habitat for animals in the national park which covers 900 km2.

[2] In July 2012, a case was filed at Central Administrative Court against Yingluck Shinawatra, the cabinet, the director-general of the Royal Irrigation Department, and the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives by the Stop Global Warming Association and 151 persons representing environmental groups.

[8] Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha visited the area on 26 February 2016 and instructed his government to assess the pros and cons of the dam.

The dam's reservoir would cover about 13,000 rai in Mae Wong National Park and would hold up to 250 million cubic metres of water.

It said that the government must complete all environmental and health impact assessment (EHIA) studies set out under the law before the dam can go ahead.