River Network Denounces Police Violence, Urges China-Thailand to Fight Pollution

Matichon•Society•9d ago

Reader Briefing

Environmental activists decry police actions during a protest and implore China and Thailand to address cross-border river pollution stemming from mining operations.

•A network of citizens protecting the Kok, Ruak, and Kong rivers held a press conference after a protest on July 6 where demonstrators were injured.
•The group alleges police used excessive force against protestors who were peacefully submitting a letter to the Chinese Consulate in Chiang Mai.
•They demand an investigation into the police's actions and urge the Chinese and Thai governments to resolve transboundary pollution from mining activities in Myanmar and Laos.

Overview

•On July 8, a press conference was held at MOCA Chiang Rai by the Network for the Protection of the Kok, Ruak, and Kong Rivers.
•The press conference followed an event on July 6 where protestors submitted a letter to the Chinese Consulate in Chiang Mai.
•Demonstrators were injured during the July 6 event, which the network claims involved excessive police force.
•The network affirmed that their gathering on July 6 was a peaceful exercise of constitutional rights.
•The network is demanding solutions for contamination in the Kok, Sai, Ruak, and Kong Rivers, originating from mining activities in Myanmar and Laos funded by Chinese capital.
•The river pollution is reported to be affecting citizens in Chiang Rai Province.
•The network is calling for the National Police Agency to investigate the facts and review protest management protocols.
•The network is urging the Chinese government and companies involved in mining in Myanmar and Laos to address the pollution problem.

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Key Quotes

Niwat Roykaew

"The trip to submit a letter to the Chinese Consulate was conducted openly and peacefully to demand solutions for river toxins, not a violent protest, yet force was used to intercept, resulting in injuries."

การเดินทางไปยื่นหนังสือที่สถานกงสุลจีนเป็นการดำเนินการโดยเปิดเผยและสันติ เพื่อเรียกร้องให้มีการแก้ไขปัญหาสารพิษในแม่น้ำ ไม่ใช่การชุมนุมรุนแรง แต่กลับมีการใช้กำลังเข้าสกัดจนมีผู้ได้รับบาดเจ็บ

Somkiat Khian Chiang Sa

"This problem is considered 'environmental injustice' that destroys food security, livelihoods, and resources of riverside communities."

ปัญหาดังกล่าวถือเป็น “ความอยุติธรรมทางสิ่งแวดล้อม” ที่ทำลายความมั่นคงทางอาหาร วิถีชีวิต และทรัพยากรของชุมชนริมแม่น้ำ

Pranom Chernchaiphum

"The incident on July 6 reflects the problem of state centralization of power and neglect of public participation."

เหตุการณ์เมื่อวันที่ 6 กรกฎาคม สะท้อนปัญหาการรวมศูนย์อำนาจของรัฐ และการละเลยการมีส่วนร่วมของประชาชน

Key Entities

Organization

Network for the Protection of the Kok, Ruak, and Kong Rivers(เครือข่ายประชาชนปกป้องแม่น้ำกก สาย รวก โขง)

A citizen's group advocating for the protection of the Kok, Ruak, and Kong Rivers and protesting transboundary pollution.

National Police Agency(สำนักงานตำรวจแห่งชาติ)

The official body called upon by the river protection network to investigate alleged police misconduct during a protest.

Place

Museum of Contemporary Art Chiang Rai (MOCA Chiang Rai)(พิพิธภัณฑ์ศิลปะร่วมสมัยเมืองเชียงราย (MOCA Chiang Rai))

The venue where the press conference was held by the environmental network on July 8.

Chinese Consulate General in Chiang Mai Province(สถานกงสุลใหญ่จีน จังหวัดเชียงใหม่)

The diplomatic mission that received a letter from protestors on July 6.

Kok River(แม่น้ำกก)

One of the rivers affected by cross-border pollution, central to the activists' concerns.

Sai River(แม่น้ำสาย)

One of the rivers experiencing contamination due to cross-border mining activities, as highlighted by the activists.

Ruak River(แม่น้ำรวก)

Affected by transboundary pollution, this river is part of the geographical focus of the environmental protection network.

Mekong River(แม่น้ำโขง)

A major river system impacted by pollution from mining activities in neighboring countries, which the network is campaigning to address.

Person

Dr. Suebsakul Kijjanukorn(ดร.สืบสกุล กิจนุกร)

An academic from Mae Fah Luang University and a spokesperson for the river protection network, who announced the network's six-point stance.

Mr. Niwat Roykaew(นายนิวัฒน์ ร้อยแก้ว)

The President of the Rak Chiang Khong Group and a prominent figure in the river protection network, who spoke about the peaceful nature of the consulate visit and alleged police violence.

Mr. Somkiat Khian Chiang Sa(นายสมเกียรติ เขื่อนเชียงสา)

The President of the Rivers for Life Association, who described the pollution as 'environmental injustice' and called for supply chain scrutiny for electric vehicles.

Mr. Pranom Chernchaiphum(นายประนอม เชิมชัยภูมิ)

The President of the Chiang Rai Community Organization, who highlighted issues of state centralization and called for respect for freedom of expression.

Dr. Kiattikhun Jankaen(ดร.เกียรติคุณ จันแก่น)

The President of the Chiang Rai Lanna Happiness Assembly, who emphasized the peaceful nature of the network's movement and its goal to protect rivers.

Dr. Neramit Jittrakra(ดร.เนรมิตร จิตรรักษา)

An academic from Chiang Rai Rajabhat University, who reiterated the network's peaceful approach and objective to address transboundary pollution.