A KHON KAEN MP who had joined several agencies and community leaders in inspecting a large chemical factory on May 1 after years-long complaints of wastewater being discharged into farmland has filed a police report after receiving death threats, Amarin TV said today (May 12).
As the villagers had also filed a complaint with the Prime Minister’s Office a large-scale inspection of the area was conducted in a joint effort involving all parties yesterday.
The Kla Tham MP, Mr. Ekachai Suebsarakham, representing Khon Kaen Constituency 3, had joined Mr. Nares Chombun, director of Khon Kaen Provincial Office of Natural Resources and Environment, and officials from Provincial Administration, Labour and Industry offices, and Nong Ko Subdistrict Administrative Organisation, in inspecting the unnamed factory which villagers said they had been complaining about for over four years for not only discharging wastewater into farmland but also causing odor pollution as well as not disposing waste and sewage according to industrial standards.
During the inspection, over 20 villagers from Nong Ko Mai community gathered in front of the factory brandishing signs demanding that relevant agencies resolve the community’s problems.
Ekachai said the death threats stemmed from his involvement in helping these villagers in seeking justice and demanding that the company take responsibility in resolving this environmental problem.
Over 20 households, owning more than 50 rai of land, have been affected by the wastewater discharged by this chemical plant with traditional fishing also now impossible due to the massive death of aquatic animals.
Ekachai revealed that just as he was leaving the meeting with this chemical company’s management an individual, believed to be a company partner, bumped into him and said, “I’m not afraid of you, and don’t let me see you outside.”
This shocked those who heard it and led to Ekachai becoming concerned as the words were perceived to be intimidation, especially since he was simply performing his duty to protect the villagers and follow up on the matter.
After that day an MP from another political party called him, asking him to drop the matter. He has also received mysterious threatening phone calls telling him to stop his activities.
Ekachai has reported these threats to Kla Tham Party leader Thammanat Prompao, the party’s executive committee and fellow Kla Tham MPs in this and neighbouring provinces. A motion has also been tabled to the House of Representatives as a long-standing problem causing hardship for the villagers.
Thammanat has told him to take full action and courageously alleviate the villagers’ suffering. However if no progress is made he will invite Thammanat and relevant committees to investigate the facts and take decisive action.
CAPTION:
This and Front Page – Khon Kaen MP Mr. Ekachai Suebsarakham. Photo – Amarin TV
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