News

The Nation 19 March 2017 | SAYAN CHUENUDOMSAVAD

SAW KEB DOH of the ethnic-Karen Kalonehtar village in Myanmar’s Dawei district murmured constantly about fears that have been gripping the villagers’ hearts.

In 2012, Saw Keb Doh’s heart pounded heavily after learning about the ceasefire agreement the Karen National Union made with the Myanmar government. Like everyone in the village, the young Karen in his 30s felt a new hope for a better life as they would no longer fear the fighting and could have a chance to renew their peaceful lives in this hilly community.

The Nation 17 March 2017 | Pratch Rujivanarom

PROTESTERS cheered jubilantly as the first public hearing on the Pak Bara seaport project was postponed yesterday after a tense confrontation at Ban Pakbang School in Satun province’s La-ngu district.

Activists stressed that the Environmental and Health Impact Assessment (EHIA) and public participation process must be reformed first or there would be similar problems at the next public hearing forum.

Bangkok Post 14 March 2017 | Apinya Wipatayotin

Residents opposing the Pak Bara deep seaport construction project in Satun province will rally on Thursday to stop the first round of public hearings on the project.

The Nation 11 March 2017 | Pratch Rujivanarom

A 101-KILOMETRE march was launched yesterday to highlight the flaws of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and protest against the planned Songkhla-Satun Landbridge project and the proposed Pak Bara seaport.

Activists from Khao Kuha Communal Rights Protection Association, The People’s Network on Mineral, and other organisations began the march, named “Walk with Love from Mountain to the Sea”, to raise public awareness of problems with the EIA and planned developments. 

Jakarta Globe 10 March 2017

President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has issued a ban on the use of mercury in small-scale gold mines throughout the archipelago, citing the potential negative impacts the toxic metal may have on the environment and human health.

Mercury poisoning can result by inhaling the hazardous substance or otherwise ingesting it in any of its forms.

Chemical Watch 10 March 2017 | Tammy Lovell

Measure will include imports

The UK's proposed ban on the manufacture of microbeads for cosmetics and personal care products is expected to come into force early next year, a government minister has said.

Prachatai 10 March 2017

The head of the Subdistrict Administrative Organisation (SAO) of an area battling a gold mine company has defeated a lawsuit filed against him by a gold mine operator.

On 9 March 2017, the Loei Provincial Court dismissed a lawsuit against Samai Phakmi, President of the SAO of Khao Luang Subdistrict, Wang Saphung District, Loei.

Bangkok Post 09 March 2017 | Apinya Wipatayotin

Local representatives opposing the planned construction of Pak Bara deep seaport project in Satun submitted a letter to the government on Wednesday asking that plans to host the first public hearing on the project next Thursday be cancelled.

They claimed the project is not transparent and straightforward as it lacks the voice of opponents, and said many who are recruited to attend the hearing will only be supporters of the project.

Myanmar Times 07 March 2017 | Su Phyo Win      

Following their visit to Dawei, the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRC of Thailand) is going to invite key members from the two Thai companies – Myanmar Pongpipat company and Italian-Thai Development company – to discuss the community’s recommendations.

“After the election in Myanmar, Thailand and every country in the world supports Myanmar, we think that the government system of Myanmar will change. The government should respect the rights of the people and should resolve human rights violations. This is an expectation from the world and also from me,” Mrs Deetes said.

Myanmar Times 06 March 2017 | Su Phyo Win      

The delegation led by Tuenjai  Deetes the National Human Rights Commissioner of Thailand – along with journalists, researchers and civil society representatives – visited Dawei in late February to exchange views in a public forum and push forward the investigation of two Thailand cross-border investment firms: Myanmar Pongpipat company and Italian-Thai Development company. After the visit, the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRC of Thailand) will submit a report to the Thai and Myanmar governments.