Korat Villagers Fight Back As Salt Factories Pollute Their Land

[george]

Villagers fight back as salt factories pollute their land

By PONGPHON SARNSAMAK

THE NATION

NAKHON RATCHASIMA: -- Villagers in Nakhon Ratchasima are demanding that the government withdraw the licences of 20 rock-salt factories because their operation is creating sinkholes and contaminating the soil.

Oon Pomsanthia, headman of Ban Khok Mongkol village in Non Thai district, said salt contamination had damaged more than 1,000 rai (160 hectares) of farmland owned by 28 households. In fact, seven families had to abandon 370 rai (59.2 hectares).

"Some could not even sell or mortgage their land for capital, because the soil was destroyed by the salt," he said.

Eight rock-salt factories have been operating in the village since 1993, and the salt has been contaminating not just the soil but the water, because there are no measures in place to control or prevent saline sediments released from the factories.

Though the factories' licences expired this year, three have been given extensions, and the rest are continuing to operate illegally.

Oon said the overuse of underground water was also to blame for a 2.4-hectare sinkhole in a nearby village, where about 20 houses have also suffered bad cracks.

Prapas Kulsamrong, headman of Ban Wang village of Non Thai district, said the first sign of the sinkhole was in 1999, when more than 800 square metres of farming land was affected.

He said he had written to the authorities, including the Industry Ministry, to study the case and stop the salt factories from operating.

Meanwhile, the Industry Ministry asked the Department of Mineral Resources to conduct a study in the area and found that there were about 16 sinkholes, two of them very large.

"The villagers are worried that their houses and land will sink," Prapas said, adding that about 500 rai (80 hectares) of farmland in his village had been destroyed.

A Somsuan Moungsanthia, a 66-year-old farmer who lives in Ban Wang village, said her 14-rai (2.25-hectare) farm could produce 40 to 50 sacks of rice, but now she could barely get five sacks because her farms were close to the factories and affected by salt contamination.

"I have had to abandon 9 rai because the land cannot be used any more," she said, adding that she had received no compensation from the factory. In addition, she had to invest in good soil just so she could grow vegetables for personal consumption.

Oon said the villagers had filed complaints with more than 11 state agencies asking them to end the operation of salt factories.

Recently, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti ordered salt factories in the village to stop vacuuming up water from February to October after he heard about the sinkhole problems.

The National Human Rights Commission has also asked the Department of Primary Industries and Mines to close the salt factories. However, some factories have not stopped despite the order.

Tawee Nakhawiroj, of the Nakhon Ratchasima industrial office, said there was a loophole in the 1992 Factory Bill that allowed salt factories to continue manufacturing while their licences were being renewed.

He said the industrial office could only limit the area covered by salt factories and conduct a study to find the appropriate technology to control salt contamination.

-- The Nation 2010-07-25

[goldmonky]

the only way to stop salt contamination in the area is to stop mining it .korat is an important rice producing area

[ratcatcher]

the only way to stop salt contamination in the area is to stop mining it .korat is an important rice producing area

Korat is in the Red Shirt domain and thus all they need to do is call up some hot shot guys and they will take about an hour to shut these illegal, polluting factories down.

After all they are experts at destroying businesses as we know.

Just needs a phone call to the right people.

[somo]

Korat is in the Red Shirt domain and thus all they need to do is call up some hot shot guys and they will take about an hour to shut these illegal, polluting factories down.

After all they are experts at destroying businesses as we know.

Just needs a phone call to the right people.

Get a life please

[liveinlos]

This is a clear case in the direction that Thailand is heading.

Unscrupulous people will make money for themselves not matter how much environmental damage or financial damage to others they cause.

Greed is a sickness overtaking this country where the rich never care for anyone else but themselves.