BANGKOK – Residents of northern Thailand’s Phichit and Phetchabun provinces received good news after the Civil Court’s Environmental Division ordered Akara Resources Public Company Limited to pay compensation to nearly 400 people affected by gold mining operations. The court found that the villagers suffered harm from heavy metals in their bodies, as well as contamination in public water sources and dust in the air.
The ruling was read at the Civil Court’s Environmental Division on Ratchadaphisek Road in Bangkok at 9:00 a.m. on March 24. The case was filed as a class action by four representatives, led by Suekanya Theerachatdamrong, on behalf of villagers from Phichit and Phetchabun.
They sued Akara Resources, the operator of the Chatree gold mine, for damages related to life, physical health, mental well-being, property, and other rights. The lawsuit centered on the effects of the company’s mining activities over the past 20 years. Around 50 villagers came to court to hear the judgment.
According to the plaintiffs, the mining operation caused toxic heavy-metal dust to spread beyond the mine site. Wind carried the dust into nearby communities. At the same time, blasting created noise and vibrations.
The lawsuit also claimed that cyanide leaked from a tailings pond, while other heavy metals such as arsenic, manganese, and iron spread into farmland and nearby areas around canals and reservoirs.
Toxic Substances from Gold Mine
The villagers said they used water from local canals for farming. Because of that, toxic substances may have built up in agricultural products such as rice and corn. They also said that rice, food, and water from these sources were contaminated with cyanide, arsenic, and manganese. As a result, many people became ill and suffered damage to their health, bodies, and peace of mind.
The plaintiffs asked the court to order compensation for medical treatment, physical health damage, mental suffering, living expenses, and loss of benefits from natural resources.
After reviewing the evidence, the court found that the plaintiffs had presented credible proof. The court accepted that heavy metals leaked from Tailings Pond No. 1 and flowed southward across lowland areas through natural waterways.
This led to contamination in public canals. The court also found that local residents had heavy metals in their bodies and were affected by dust from mine blasting, along with noise from the mining operation. Because of this, the court ordered the company to pay damages to the four plaintiffs and 382 class members.
Compensation for Fear and Anxiety
Under the judgment, people aged 15 and under with heavy metals in their bodies will receive 200,000 baht each. Those over 15 will receive 100,000 baht each. For people aged 15 and under whose heavy-metal levels did not exceed the standard, the compensation is 100,000 baht each. For those over 15 with levels within the standard range, the amount is 50,000 baht each.
The court also awarded compensation for mental harm caused by fear and anxiety. Those with heavy-metal levels above the standard will receive 20,000 baht each, while those within the standard will receive 10,000 baht each. In addition, the court ordered 5,000 baht per person for medical expenses.
Another 5,000 baht per person was granted for the cost of buying drinking water and food after villagers could no longer rely on natural water sources. The court also awarded 5,000 baht each for loss of use of water resources and the damage to their way of life.
In addition, the court ordered the company to restore the surrounding public canals and remove contamination from the environment. It must take full responsibility for cleaning the soil, water, canals, and reservoirs.
The company must also fill in Tailings Pond No. 1 and cover it completely with soil. This work must be carried out under the supervision of the relevant committee, with safety as a top priority. The court dismissed the remaining requests.
