Green groups defend right to criticize gold mining activities

BANGKOK: -- Environment advocacy groups opposed to gold mining activities in Loei’s Wang Saphung district have demanded a stop of what they charged as an act of intimidation against free expression against the activities by students in the province.

The groups held a press conference at the office of the foundation of social volunteers on Monday to complain about an incident on September 6 when a man claiming to be an official of Tungkum mining company in Loei, accompanied by the headman of Ban Phu Tap Fah, paid a surprise visit to the home of a Mathayom 4 student and talked to the student’s family in a way that caused fear to the family of its safety.

The student of Srisongkram school in Wang Saphung district who is a citizen reporter, recently filed a report about pollution in the Nam Huey creek in Tambon Khao Luang which has been rendered undrinkable allegedly due to discharges from the gold mining activities. The report was aired by Thai PBS on September 1.

Ms Saksenee Emmasiri, a coordinator of the citizen reporters team, defended that the news content of the environment problem in Wang Saphung district was based on facts and the presentation was meant to protect community’s interests.

She said that if the mining company or any other people felt that the news coverage was inaccurate then it should make a clarification and should not resort to intimidation tactic.

The threat to take the students to the court is not right and constitutes a misuse of power, said Ms Saksenee, adding that the news presentation is the responsibility of her group and not the students or their families.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/green-groups-defend-right-to-criticize-gold-mining-activities


-- Thai PBS 2015-09-15

Bully boy tactics! typical.

No discontent allowed, all citizens must be happy(and totally passive).

Thank you for your cooperation.

what else can we expect from them, they are used to doing this and will continue with their threats of legal action even when the truth is shown, this is Thailand after all and making money is more important than the truth or people lives

Except for section 44 , everyone has a right , the fine line is how much right, scandalous rumor mongering , untruths and lack of knowledge are a dangerous force , so long as the debate is vigorous , sensible, measured and informative , whether you are green purple or brown it matters not.

Interesting table legs design.

The bully boy tactics are ongoing, this latest incident mild in comparison.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=e2dcede81734fa74742a56b609f6d3dc&app=googlecse#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=wang saphung gold mine

See the back catalogue.