Court dismisses gold-mining firm’s case against ThaiPBS

The decision was based on the fact that the report presented honest comments from local people. 
The gold mine operator, Tungkum Ltd, was suing ThaiPBS and its staff members for allegedly violating the Computer Crime Act and harming its reputation due to the report’s coverage. 
The court decided to dismiss the case as it considered the allegations baseless. However, the plaintiff has the right to appeal and ask the court to reconsider its decision. 
In its decision, the court said that although the plaintiff can by law sue the defendants, official agencies such as the Provincial Public Health Office and Pollution Control Department had already reported that the gold mining was contaminating the Huai River and its tributaries. 
It also pointed out that the ThaiPBS report was in line with the official statement, and was based on the truth and testimonies from those suffering from the pollution. It said that the purpose of the report was to reveal people’s problems. 
Tungkum has alleged that the ThaiPBS citizens’ report on the environmental impact gold mining was having in Loei’s Wang Saphung district had damaged its reputation.
Meanwhile, people living near the mine gathered outside the Tambon Khao Luang Administrative Organisation yesterday to stop it extending the concession for gold-mining operations in the Khok Phulek natural preserve.
Ranong Kongsaen, one of the residents, said people had been gathering at the venue since early morning because they did not want the officials voting against the people’s will. 
“We have tried several times to stop the Tambon Administrative Organisation [TAO] from putting this topic on the meeting agenda and also came to an agreement with local authorities over this issue in May. However, some of the officials broke the agreement and insisted on bringing this issue up for discussion again,” Ranong said. 
She added that although the TAO decided to postpone the meeting yesterday, residents still decided to wait until the end of working hours because they were worried the issue would be discussed secretly. “We have also written to the provincial governor to confirm that the topic was not discussed, because we want an official confirmation from the authorities,” she said. 
Extending the mining concession in the forest reserve is crucial for Tungkum as it will allow the company to restart its mining operations.