https://forum-asia.org/statement-thailand-stop-targeting-human-rights-de...
GENEVA, Switzerland (7 February 2025) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) is in solidarity with the Khon Rak Ban Kerd Dan Khun Thot group who has been peacefully protesting against the destructive potash mining projects in Thailand’s Nakhon Ratchasima province.
The group consists of community members negatively impacted by the said mining projects. For years, local communities have raised serious concerns about the severe environmental degradation, irreversible loss of livelihoods, and devastating social impacts caused by potash mining.
Despite clear evidence of environmental harm and repeated calls for justice, these legitimate grievances have been systematically ignored by authorities.
“Mining operations should not prioritize corporate interests over the rights and welfare of local communities and the environment. The voices of impacted communities and human rights defenders raising these legitimate concerns around harmful potash mining must not be silenced. Thai authorities must immediately revoke potash mining licenses and ensure that affected communities are not only properly compensated for past harms but also meaningfully consulted in all decisions affecting their lives and surrounding environment,” said Mary Aileen Diez-Bacalso, Executive Director of FORUM-ASIA.
The cost of prioritizing profits over people
Thai Kali Co., the operator of the controversial potash mine, holds a 25-year concession covering 9,005 rai (1,440.8 hectares) in Dan Khun Thot district, Nakhon Ratchasima province.
Local communities–in Nong Sai subdistrict, Nong Bua Takiat subdistrict, and Non Mueang Phatthana subdistrict in Dan Khun Thot district–have long resisted these mining projects due to its long-term environmental destruction.
Mining operations began in these areas in 2017. Within just two years, salt began contaminating local water sources, making farming impossible. The soil has become more saline than seawater, forcing communities to purchase clean water at exorbitant prices. The community has also witnessed fish die and homes damaged due to the increased salinity.
In response, local communities and human rights defenders (HRDs) launched the campaign “Stop Don Nong Pho Potash, Restore Nong Sai Community,” demanding an end to these destructive practices. Their efforts led to the suspension of Thai Kali’s mining license in July 2023.
However, in September 2023, the Department of Primary Industries and Mines issued a new mining license for a site near the company’s initial operations in Nong Don Pho. This decision was made without meaningful consultation with local communities, blatantly ignoring their long-standing grievances. The expansion is expected to affect approximately 300 households, worsening existing environmental and social challenges.
Mining activities of Thai Kali Co. are set to resume following the acquisition of 65 percent of its stake in December 2024 by Bangchak Corporation–a major Thai energy company listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand–through its subsidiary, BCV Energy.
Communities fear that the new potash mining site will replicate the severe damages seen in other parts of Thailand. They demand the cancellation of the new master plan on mineral resource management, which permits mining without proper environmental assessments.
While potash is marketed as a key ingredient in fertilizers, it is also being explored as a raw material for electric vehicle batteries, highlighting the economic motivations behind these harmful operations. This is also visible in similar concessions being granted to companies in Chaiyaphum and Udon Thani provinces, raising concerns about broader environmental and human rights implications.
Persistent targeting of human rights defenders
Communities and HRDs–particularly women HRDs (WHRDs)–opposing potash mining in other provinces faced judicial harassment through SLAPPs (strategic lawsuit against public participation).
SLAPP is an intimidation tactic used by corporations to silence dissent by burdening them with legal costs. This reflects a broader pattern of suppression of free speech in Thailand.
On 27 January 2025, a group of W/HRDs and affected community members held a peaceful protest in front of the Ministry of Industry in Bangkok criticizing the severe impact of potash mining in Nakhon Ratchasima Province and calling for corporate accountability. The Ministry of Industry issued an announcement for the protest to be moved to a remote location and ordered to cut off water and lock toilets to prevent the protesters from using them. Following the protest, the Ministry also threatened to file a police report against WHRDs and community members.
On 28 October 2024, six W/HRDs were charged with defamation, libel and tort by the Chief Executive of the Sub-district Administrative Organization of Non Mueang Phatthana for their activism.
In recent years, private corporations have been increasingly collaborating with the government in harassing and intimidating environmental and community-based HRDs. FORUM-ASIA has documented such cases, however, the actual number of incidents is likely higher as many cases go unreported.
Call to action
FORUM-ASIA urges Thai authorities to ensure that those opposing potash mining are not subjected to SLAPPs and all other forms of intimidation, harassment, and violence for merely exercising their right to peaceful protests.
We call on the authorities and mining companies to comply with its obligations under the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAP), and other relevant international human rights standards.
We further call on the authorities and mining companies to provide adequate compensation and implement effective rehabilitation measures for communities suffering from the adverse effects of potash mining.
Without timely environmental and social impact assessments and free, prior and informed consent, all operations must be halted.
Both authorities and corporations must engage in meaningful consultations with local communities before granting any future mining concessions, ensuring that their rights, health, and livelihoods are protected in keeping with the UN Resolution on the Right to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment.
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About FORUM-ASIA:
The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) is a network of 88 member organisations across 23 countries, mainly in Asia. Founded in 1991, FORUM-ASIA works to strengthen movements for human rights and sustainable development through research, advocacy, capacity development and solidarity actions in Asia and beyond. It has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, and consultative relationship with the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights. The FORUM-ASIA Secretariat is based in Bangkok, with offices in Jakarta, Geneva and Kathmandu. www.forum-asia.org
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- Communication and Media Programme, FORUM-ASIA, communication@forum-asia.org
