eliotness

There's a simple way to sort this : The mining, milling and extraction processes will all produce waste with different mixtures (cocktails) of heavy metals. This is called their chemical fingerprint. If the ratio of the different heavy metals from any of the effluents matches those found in the peoples blood, taking into account biochemical processes, then it is "probable" that the mine may be responsible. If it is actually proven and the pathway identified, then closing the mine for 30 days is a joke as there will be heavy metals in the environment for decades. Heavy metals are also toxic to plants, but the article doesn't mention affected crops. There needs to be an immediate evaluation of the evidence and further environmental investigation carried out by qualified, independant and experienced personnel, after all they may have to appear in court to defend their evaluation, or oops am I getting mixed up with how things are done in Thailand.

Correction to my post, checked out the company on the internet, cyanide is used, gold and silver produced, so I guess there will be a mixture of other metals such as Mn, Zn, Cu, Cr etc. The most likely source to the environment is tailings dams, but no mention in the article if the pollution is surface or ground water, or possibly from the dust from the grinding mills. The company's video is very interesting as it says they had problems because Thailand's lack of proper regulation. I guess thainess strikes again and they are making the rules on the hoof. I think there is rather more to this than the gov minister mentions.

Gold and heavy metals usually means mercury - no mention of cyanide. Effluent treatment plants operate in 1st world countries world-wide to control this problem, but I guess Thailand is among those 3rd world that don't.

I am planning to go from Nang Rong to Savannkhet in Lao to renew my visa early March. I want to take my wife with me but she only has a Thai ID card. Does she need a full passport as we only intend to go across the border get the visa and return the same day ?

I sent 2 boxes from the UK using DHL. Massive problems with one, not only did it take 7 weeks to arrive but someone had removed all the extra packing I had put in to protect the fragile items. I had to actually pick it up at the local post office. The staff there were amused at the distressed appearance of the box, which had obviously been damaged. On opening the box I found even metal objects badly bashed, all pottery smashed and wooden items broken. I don't know if the damage caused by DHL or the Post Office but as someone had removed all the protective packing I doubt double boxing would have made any difference at all.

A point everyone's missed so far is where are they getting the radioactive sources from, what safety proceedures are in place, and most important, what disposal routes have they for used sources (ie nuclear waste) ?

A point everyone's missed so far is where are they getting the radioactive sources from, what safety proceedures are in place, and most important, what disposal routes have they for used sources (ie nuclear waste) ?

Self cooking rice, that's progress !!!

Help, I want to change my visa next March and I thought I could use a combination of money in the bank plus pension ( I took early retirement so until I'm 65 I only get 25000 pm income ). Based on the above comments does that mean I can't get a marriage visa or do I need to ensure 400k is in my bank for 2 months prior to applying ? Comments most appreciated.

I seem to recall another regime doing a similar thing closely followed by burning all unpatriotic books.

And then we all know what happened. A very slippery slope.

Members of the Thai Standards Authority, or whatever it's called, attend most ISO meetings. Therefore the government should have known that there is no international standard for the construction or use of piers. As you said just another official spouting bullshit.

So what international standard are we talking about, ISO xyz ? or maybe Indian or Bangladesh !

So what international standard are we talking about, ISO xyz ? or maybe Indian or Bangladesh !

I had a very bad experience with DHL, not only did the box take 7 weeks to arrive but someone in the chain had removed the extra packaging, so not only was I hit by a huge customs bill but half the personal treasured items were either broken or bashed. DHL Thailand were totally useless, avoid them at all costs.