News

The Nation 27 April 2017 | PRATCH RUJIVANAROM

RIGHTS CAMPAIGNERS in the Eastern Region have asked the government to respect their rights, and claim that the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) development was pushing forward without public involvement.

Academics and rights campaigners yesterday demanded that the government disclose the complete EEC Bill, conduct a Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA), and protect people and community rights from the EEC development.

Bangkok Post 27 April 2017 | Apinya Wipatayotin

Court to determine whether bill is legal

Activists from the Network of Special Economic Zone Watch pledged Wednesday to petition the Administrative Court to interpret whether the eastern special economic development zone bill has been drafted correctly, if the government refuses to consider hosting a public hearing on it.

The Nation 24 April 2017 | Pratch Rujivanarom

Academic warns of Massive land grabs in three provinces; privileges for foreign investors likened to pre1997 Hong Kong

AN ACADEMIC has voiced concerns over privileges to be granted to foreign investors under the proposed Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) legislation, especially in regard to 99-year land leases.

Associated Press 21 April 2017

WASHINGTON — Dow Chemical is pushing a Trump administration that's open to scrapping regulations to ignore the findings of federal scientists who point to a family of widely used pesticides as harmful to about 1,800 critically threatened or endangered species.

For immediate release: 18 April 2017

A new global survey finds that recycling plastics containing toxic flame retardant chemicals found in electronic waste results in contamination of the world’s best-selling toy along with other children’s products. Ironically, the chemical contaminants can damage the nervous system and reduce intellectual capacity but are found in Rubik’s Cubes – a puzzle toy designed to exercise the mind.

Inside Story 13 April 2017 | Tom Greenwell

More than 100,000 people die from asbestos-related disease each year, but the global asbestos industry continues to thrive. An African diplomatic initiative could be the first step in stopping it

Its dangers are beyond dispute, and it has been banned in Australia and around fifty other countries, yet asbestos use still exceeds an estimated 1.8 million tonnes every year worldwide. The deadly mineral is dug up in Russia, Kazakhstan, China and Brazil to be used in building products, automotive parts and insulation throughout the Global South. Now, a group of African nations, encouraged by Australia, has proposed that asbestos be br

NetNewsLedger 10 April 2017

Ottawa, Ontario –  “The federal government has worked with provincial and territorial governments and with Indigenous communities as important partners of the Convention. All Canadians can be proud of this accomplishment as our country continues to renew its relationships with Indigenous peoples, based on recognition of rights, respect, co-operation, and partnership and demonstrates to the world how important that is,” says Dr.Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs.

Bangkok Post 05 April 2017 | Ariane Kupferman-Sutthavong

Fishermen in Krabi face off against a planned coal-fired power plant to save their livelihood and quite possibly the ecosystem of Phang Nga bay

Come late afternoon, just before the close of day, Bang Ma-neng sets out to sea. As always, he will ready his fishing gear on his boat -- slice some pla too into small pieces to bait his hooks, cast his nets and longlines -- before settling in for the night.

Channel NewsAsia 05 April 2017 | Panu Wongcha-um

TANINTHARYI, Myanmar: The National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRC) has opened an official enquiry into the Heinda tin mine in Myanmar’s Tanintharyi region for alleged human rights violations. 

Australian Associated Press 04 April 2017 | Ron Corben

Australian goldminer Kingsgate Consolidated is banking on free trade agreement provisions to press the Thai government to open talks over its 2016 decision to shut all gold mines.