Gold-mining firm to drop lawsuit against villagers, but wants to talk first
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The Thung Kham Ltd has for now decided to drop a Bt120-million civil lawsuit against 33 villagers in Loei protesting against the firm's gold-mining operations, saying it was ready to talk to the protesters first, an informed source reported yesterday.
The firm is suing the villagers for walling up a road leading to the mine in tambon Khao Luang of Wang Saphung district.
Loei governor Viroj Jivarangsan, Loei Army commander Maj-General Thalerngsak Pulsuwan and attorney Wachira Phromthes were also present at the talks between Wichit Chiamwichitkun, an executive from Tongkah Harbour, who was there on behalf of Thung Kham Ltd, and the “Rak Ban Kerd” group at City Hall.
The talks resulted in the company agreeing to withdraw all civil lawsuits on condition that they can talk the villagers first for a better understanding, the source said.
As for the criminal lawsuit against the protesters, Wachira said the public prosecutor had considered all the information and was not likely to take the lawsuit further in order to promote reconciliation and a good ending.
Citing the case in which some 200 men in black had assaulted some protesters on the night of May 15, Wachira said the justice procedure had run its course and, so far, four suspects had been indicted while police was gathering evidence against other suspects.
Viroj said he wanted both sides to “take one step back from confrontation”, while provincial and related agencies were trying to solve the problem with political means. He also said he believed the problem would be resolved by December 5, which would also be a good merit for His Majesty’s birthday occasion.
