Cleaning lady

[webfact]

NHRC to probe economic zone encroachment on community forest



BANGKOK: -- The National Human Rights Commission has agreed to accept for consideration a petition by villagers of a community in Chiang Rai who have protested against the planned setting up of a special economic zone on a public forest.

Dr Nirun Pitakwatchara, chair of a subcommittee of the NHRC, said Tuesday that he would invite representatives of Village 2, Tambon Boonruang, Chiang Khong district and authorities concerned to give their sides of the story in October.

At issue is the right of the community to protect the public forest because the villagers have been living there for generations. And they have the right to protest if they feel their common property is threatened, said Dr Nirun.

The proposed economic zone covering a total area of 3,015 rai is mostly located in Rim Nam Ing forest.

Mr Thanom Uttama, chair of the Loom Nam Ing community, said that the villagers were very anxious about the economic zone project and would join a public forum to be held Wednesday. He said he hoped the organizer of the forum would give full opportunity to the villagers to air their views.

The villagers, he said, have vowed to protect the forest and would not allow it to be used to accommodate factories.

Meanwhile, Mr Sa-nguan Sornklinsakul, vice president of Chiang Rai Chamber of Commerce, said there would definitely be industrial factories in the economic zone but they would be light industries.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/nhrc-to-probe-economic-zone-encroachment-on-community-forest


-- Thai PBS 2015-09-09

[Srikcir]

This is a little confusing.

The military has been vigorously evicting everybody living and working in Thai public forests as a violation of national property.

On the other hand the military is working to establish special economic zones for industries in the those forests.

The forest communities are largely low-income/poverty class as opposed to well financed corporations. Is there a hidden conflict between the two? Maybe it should be the NACC that should be probing these SEZ's.

Edited September 9, 2015 by Srikcir

[phoenixdoglover]

Meanwhile, Mr Sa-nguan Sornklinsakul, vice president of Chiang Rai Chamber of Commerce, said there would definitely be industrial factories in the economic zone but they would be light industries.

Oh, well, I guess light industries are OK then.