Loei mining firm loses battle

By The Nation

 

Photo credit: NewEsaan's Facebook

 

THE LOEI PROVINCIAL Court yesterday ordered a gold-mining firm to rehabilitate the environment and compensate locals who were affected by its operations.

 

Tungkum Co Ltd, which operates a gold mine in Loei’s Wang Saphung district, lost the legal battle as the court believed local residents had solid evidence proving that the firm’s mining operations damaged the environment in areas around the mining zones. 

 

More than 100 locals filed a collective complaint against Tungkum to press for environmental rehabilitation and compensation for damages they have suffered. 

 

According to the plaintiffs, mining operations spoiled the environment, which has harmed their health, affected their livelihood as farmers and made it impossible for them to rely on natural food and water sources. 

 

However, the court found the demand of Bt300,000 per family too high, and even though it ruled in favour of the plaintiffs, it ordered the mining company to pay the 149 claimants Bt104,000 each. 

 

This is over and above the environmental rehabilitation measures the company will have to implement in line with state standards. The court also requires the company to involve the plaintiffs in rehabilitation planning. 

 

The court’s ruling was based on the fact that the Constitution enshrines community rights to resource management and usage, giving locals the authority to demand environmental rehabilitation and take part in rehabilitation planning. 

 

The plaintiffs were satisfied with the verdict. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30360354

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-12-14

6 hours ago, webfact said:

THE LOEI PROVINCIAL Court yesterday ordered a gold-mining firm to rehabilitate the environment and compensate locals who were affected by its operations.

No thanks to the Thai governments.

• On 30 March 2016, the Loei Provincial Court dismissed a civil defamation lawsuit brought by six members of the Khon Rak Ban Kerd Group who live in communities near the open-pit copper-gold mine, for erecting signs in 2015 at the Na Nong Bong village entrance gate and along the main road in the village, calling for the closure of the controversial mine and rehabilitation of the local environment.
• The NGO Fortify Rights found that the company and the Thai government had "...targeted environmental defenders...journalists, and others with costly lawsuits that infringe on basic rights."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tongkah_Harbour_Public_Company_Limited

Alleged collusion between the government and business sounds all too familiar.

The little man is beginning to win against the people in ivory towers. Of course, telling the company they have to pay up is one thing. Actually getting them to cough up is another. BTS has stuck a finger up at the courts in Bangkok for years over disabled access, for example.

Great news - victory for the local residents against Thai big business. AMAZING! Tungkum Co. Ltd. is based in Samut Prakan and is a subsidiary of Tongkah Harbour Public Company founded in 1906 as the Tongkah Tin Dredging Company by Edward T. Miles.  

My brother worked for years as a supervising auto electrician in South East Asia for over 12 years. Now in Suriname. He says what they did in West Papua was criminal, The water sources were left poisoned the jungle flattened and the villagers were given a pittance. Where he lives now in Borneo when not on site is disturbing. With complicity from the Indonesian military large areas of rain forest and home to sun bears and Orangutans are being flattened to sell off the timber and replant with palm oil trees which gain carbon credits eagerly sought by large multinationals.  Orphaned Orangutans are sold as pets , illegally.

 

If these villagers don;t get the coin they should publish the names and nationalities of all directors and senior staff, and the law firm, and belt the crap out of them on social media. "Daddy, I have no friends at school because they say the company you run won;t pay Thai villagers for land you wrecked and the money they are owed is weeks wages to you"  Not the kids fault but shunning at the country club for his missus might also go a long way as well. "Off to the Bahamas again while poor Thai farmers have there livelihood destroyed and your husband won;t pay. How do you sleep at night. Comfortably I bet"