The Agricultural Land Reform Office yesterday agreed to allow the Petroleum Authority of Thailand to lay gas pipelines through reformed land in Ratchaburi and Ayutthaya. The office based its decision on the fact the National Environment Board had already approved the project's environmental impact assessment study, reasoning that the project would contribute to the country's economic growth. About 26 rai will be needed for the construction of a 4.38-km pipeline passing through Ratchaburi's Pachi river forest. The PTT has agreed to compensate landowners at 92,681.25 baht per rai.