News

Bangkok Post 24 May 2018 | Anchalee Kongrut

Campaigners have vowed to go to the Administrative Court after Wednesday's ruling by the Hazardous Substance Committee to allow the continued use of three toxic pesticides despite mounting concerns about their health impact.

The committee members, including representatives from the Public Health, Industry and Agriculture ministries, as well as invited experts, voted Wednesday to allow the continued use of paraquat, glyphosate and chlorpyrifos but under tightened regulations.

The Nation 24 May 2018 | PRATCH RUJIVANAROM

Committee allows use of paraquat, two others, but plans tighter regulations

THE USE OF CONTROVERSIAL agricultural chemicals like paraquat, glyphosate and chlorpyrifos will continue to be allowed, but with tighter regulations and controls.

AP 23 May 2018 | TASSANEE VEJPONGSA

BANGKOK (AP) — The Thai government said Wednesday it will allow continued use of the toxic weed killer paraquat and two other farm chemicals despite mounting concerns over health risks, but plans to tighten controls on how they are utilized.

The Nation 23 May 2018 | Pratch Rujivanarom

Hazardous substances committee to rule on future of paraquat today

THE GOVERNMENT will have to take responsibility for the damage to people’s health and the environment and could face lawsuits if it allows the renewal of licences for paraquat and two other agro-chemicals, activists caution.

The Nation 22 May 2018  

POLICE SEARCHED a waste management plant in Chachoengsao’s Plaeng Yao district on Tuesday, responding to an allegation that hazardous industrial waste had been smuggled from abroad to be burned at the facility, spreading toxins in the area.

National police deputy chief Pol General Weerachai Songmetta led the raid by police and officials at 9am against WMD (Wai Mei Dat) Thai Recycling Co Ltd’s 100-rai factory in Tambon Plaeng Yao.

20 May 2018

On May 18, an international petition signed by 171 CSOs from 40 countries was submitted to Japanese government, calling on Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) not to provide their public finance anymore for the expansion of Cirebon coal-fired power plant (1,000 MW) and the expansion of Indramayu coal-fired power plant (1,000 MW), both located in West Java, Indonesia.

Bangkok Post 20 May 2018 | EDITORIAL

In what is seen as a ploy to get the coal-fired power plants in Krabi and Songkhla back on track, energy policymakers have announced they will conduct a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) into the controversial projects.

The Guardian Podcast 18 May 2018 | Presented by Hannah Devlin and produced by Graihagh Jackson

Every year, more people die from asbestos exposure than road traffic accidents in Great Britain. Many countries still continue to build with this lethal substance – but why? Hannah Devlin investigates

The Nation 16  May 2018 | Pratch Rujivanarom

Expansion in three provinces only suits foreign investors, warn rights experts

THE EASTERN Economic Corridor (EEC) programme, the country’s largest-ever infrastructure and industrial scheme involving a combined investment of several hundred billion baht, faces an uncertain future if local land use issues are not quickly resolved.

Local people and land experts yesterday expressed concerns about the consequences of the industrial expansion and infrastructure development within three EEC provinces: Chon Buri, Rayong and Chachoengsao.

Myanmar Times 15 May 2018 | Thiha Ko Ko, Thompson Chau

Experts warn that implementation of the Japan-supported master plan for Dawei Special Economic Zone (SEZ) without a legally-required site-wide assessment would be “unlawful” and that transparency and meaningful public participation are necessary to determine who benefits from those plans before moving ahead.