Pak Mun Dam Update

As part of a network of social and environmental movements in Esan, the AAN is always in close communication other groups of farmers, fisherfolk and urban communities.  The Pak Mun struggle continues today, as the government is finally entertaining a debate about decommissioning the dam.  Pak Mun protesters have become increasingly active in Ubon Ratchatani, with recent protests at City Hall organized by the Assembly of the Poor (AOP).  Sompong Vienchan was even recently interviewed and here is a recent editorial from the Bangkok Post:

Bangkok Post February 25, 2011

When you make a mistake, you accept it and apologise, make amends and stop repeating the same error without end. That is what civilised people do, and there can be no reason why Thailand’s governments should flout this golden rule.

Thai PBS on the Pesticide Crisis

Below are links to Thai PBS news articles from the last month – all focusing on pesticide contamination in the Thai food system.  Thai PBS has become a major ally for the AAN and organic farming throughout the country.  Their documentary-style journalism has helped to expose the risks involved with Thailand’s increasingly agri-business focused economy and the impacts on small-scale farmers.  The stories below are in Thai, but English summaries can be made available.

1. Thailand suspended the export of 16 kinds of vegetables to the EU.   ไทยระงับส่งออกผัก 16 ชนิดไปอียู (2011-01-12) http://www.thaipbs.or.th/s1000_obj/front_page/page/1031.html?content_id=288732

2. Vegetable importers prepared to raise the standards for Thai agricultural products. ผู้นำเข้าพืชผักเตรียมเพิ่มมาตรฐานสินค้าเกษตรไทย (2011-01-13) http://www.thaipbs.or.th/s1000_obj/front_page/page/1031.html?content_id=288803

3. Researchers indicate the contaminants involved in the Thai vegetables crisis นักวิชาการชี้สารปนเปื้อนผักไทยอยู่ในขั้นวิกฤต (2011-01-27) http://www.thaipbs.or.th/s1000_obj/front_page/page/1031.html?content_id=290863