In the heart of beautiful Chiang Mai province, the local tribal leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, along with villagers from the Karen tribe, braved the rain to make a stands against an unfavorable coal mining project. Limjaroenrat, formerly at the helm of the prominent Move Forward Party, led a team of MPs and party members to resonate with the chants echoing from the placard-adorned villagers, matching onward to submit a letter of protest to the district’s chief.
The demonstration was more than just a march, instead it was the culmination of a public forum held earlier that day. The gathering had represented a Rolodex of human rights advocates, distinguished legal minds, and devoted environmentalists, all amassed to have their voices heard. Among them were representatives from the small but resilient Kaboedin village and others from a broad network of groups vehemently opposing the proposed mine – all fearing the potential toll the project could take on their lives.
The project, incited by a private company’s initiative to apply for a 10-year concession to open a coal mine in the Omkoi district on a 284-rai site back in 1999. Nonetheless, it wasn’t until twenty years later that the news seeped out to the residents, thus awakening a band of native Karen tribespeople from their unsuspecting sleep. Kaboedin village would not idly abide by the encroachment on their lands, and thus, a campaign against the coal project was sparked.
With the intended mining site adjacent to a stream, the nexus of the villagers’ life source, a very tangible fear swept over them. The potential pollution resultant from the mining activities could grossly contaminate the water supply critically impacting the livelihood of the residents. Consequently, the tribes people fear, this invisible adversary threatens much more than their health, but the very essence of their way of life.
In the heart of 2020, the National Human Rights Commission stepped in, having identified a spate of human rights violations within an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report on the proposed project. With concerns, they suggested the plan undergo comprehensive revisions. The NHRC pointed out notable flaws within the public hearing held in the Kaboedin village. Particularly, they found inconsistencies between the participant logs and the actual attendees’ reports.
Questionable views came to light as it was revealed that rather than focusing on disseminating accurate knowledge about the project’s impact, the scope of the hearing was mysteriously skewed towards gauging the local villagers’ desires. This unchecked situation has etched yet another chapter in the chronicle of these villagers’ struggle, signalling that their fight is far from over.
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