On August 20, 2024, angry residents in Chiang Khong District stormed Chiang Rai Provincial Hall to complain to the Governor about lignite trucks from Laos causing serious pollution and creating health problems for residents.

More than 10 villagers from Tambon Sathan and Tambon Wiang, Chiang Khong District, Chiang Rai Province, submitted a letter to the Chiang Rai Governor to object to a private business operator transporting lignite and storing it in Ban Mai Charoen Village, Tambon Sathan, Amphoe Chiang Khong, which affected their health and way of life.

The villagers requested an investigation into the performance of the village headman of Village No. 7 because he granted permission without holding a village assembly.

Lignite Chiang Khong

The Deputy Governor of Chiang Rai Province, Mr. Prasert Chitplichep, was the representative who received the letter.

Mr. Prajong Chaiyasit, a representative of Mai Thung Mot, Village No. 7, Tambon Sathan, said they wanted the governor to halt the lignite transportation because it was affecting the villagers’ health. The coal emitted a foul smell, and dust covered roads and homes.

He told the Deputy Governor that the transportation of lignite coal was from the Lao PDR coming across the 4th Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge (Huai Xai-Chiang Khong), about 5 km from the border checkpoint.

He said large tandem trucks transport lignite dozens of times per day through the road into and out of the community to the dumping point without covering it with tarpaulin, causing coal fragments to fall all over the road and spread into houses.

Lignite Chiang Khong

The dust from dumping and transporting the lignite pollutes the water and flows into the irrigation canal (Rong Yaeng), which poses a health hazard to the surrounding people, especially children and the elderly.

The villagers have already complained to the relevant agencies in the area, and Chiang Khong District said it had ordered an investigation into the facts and temporarily suspended operations. However, lignite is still being transported as usual.

Deputy Governor Mr. Prasert Jitpleechip told the villagers that he would have the relevant parties investigate the issue regarding the terms of the permit and make sure the company is in compliance with the Public Health Act B.E. 2535.

He said the local government cannot deny responsibility, and they must investigate and offer solutions.

Lignite Chiang Khong

The Chiang Khong district told reporters that it has coordinated with relevant agencies, including the Office of Environmental and Pollution Control, to inspect the area, which has now installed pollution and dust detectors.

Inquiries have been made to the provincial industry, the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning, and relevant agencies for issuing licenses.

This includes informing the Sathan Subdistrict Municipality, the issuer of the license, to inspect the operation to see if it complies with the regulations of the Ministry of Public Health.

It has also raised concerns with the municipality that issued the license about the business’s noncompliance with the standards of the Public Health Act B.E. 2535.