Rights body to hear SEZ land seizure concerns

Saying the NHRC’s subcommittee on community rights had received villagers’ complaints about the forestland seizure, the head of the sub-panel, Niran Pitakwatchara, insisted: “If the villagers have been living in the area for generations, they should have the right to protect their forestland from any project threatening their [livelihoods].” 

The villagers said they want the forest to be managed by the community.

Meanwhile, Boonreung residents attended a public forum yesterday about the seizure, which they claimed violated the community’s rights, said Thanom Utama, president of the Ing River Basin People’s Council. The villagers were also concerned about environmental impacts including air pollution, water mismanagement and soil pollution that could stem from an industrial estate as part of the SEZ. 

“The villagers will not allow anyone to cut down our 500-year-old forest,” Thanom said, adding that he thought an industrial estate was not suitable there. 

Resident Pichetpong Kurupra-chayamak said local people had joined the forum because they needed to hear explanations from the government about the SEZ and wanted assurance that there would be no industrial factories. 

However, Sa-nguan Sornklin-sakul, vice president of the Chiang Rai Chamber of Commerce, said the SEZ would definitely have factories, but they would be for light industries and would focus on trade within the Asean region. 

He said local people would also be invited to propose their valued opinions about the benefits their community was entitled to from the SEZ.

After the forum, Chiang Khong district chief Sakchai Wongkanit told The Nation via phone that the event was aimed at ensuring that local people understood the situation and could air their concerns. “For now, only people in tambon Boonrung would reject the SEZ, if it came with heavy industry,” he added.