- Important case
Seven Ladies in Loei Province monitoring Khao Luang Local Administrative Council Meeting
Latest Update: 18/04/2018
Defendant
No information
Case Status
On trial in Court of First Instance
Case Started
2015
Complainant / Plaintiff
Pol. Col. Suchin Nawareun, Wangsapung Police Station superintendent is an accusor in this case
Table of Content
The seven all-female accused and other 150 villagers gathered in front of Khao Luang Local Administrative Office to monitor a meeting which included an agenda to extend the gold mining concession permit in a land for agriculture and forestry plot, which Thung Kham Company Limited was previously granted a concession. Villagers demanded the agenda pertaining the gold mine concession meeting to be canceled. The seven accused were accused of forcing member of Khao Luang LAO members against their wills by using threats to life, body, liberty, reputation, or properties. Furthermore, Ponthip Hongchai was accused of organizing a public rally without notifying the competent authority.
Defendant Background
The seven accused are villgers from 'Khon Rak Ban Kerd' group which is a group of people from 6 villages in Wang Saphung District, Loei Province who receive negative effect from operation of gold mine of Thung Kham co.ltd.
Offense
Public Assembly Act 2015, Others
Allegation
On 16 November 2016, the seven accused and other 150 people gathered in front of Khao Luang Local Administrative Office to monitor a meeting which included an agenda to extend the gold mining concession permit in a land for agriculture and forestry plot, which Thung Kham Company Limited was previously granted a concession. The seven accused and other villagers demanded the agenda pertaining the gold mine concession meeting to be canceled because the mining concession negatively impacted the environment and community members’ health.
The seven accused of jointly forcing member of Khao Luang LAO members gains their wills by using threats to life, body, liberty, reputation, or properties. Ponthip Hongchai was the only one accused of organizing a public rally without notifying the competent authority.
Circumstance of Arrest
No information
Trial Observation
No information
Black Case
2858/2560
Court
Loie Provincial Court
Additional Info
No information
Reference
No information
8 December 2016
Pol. Capt. Wasant Saengthepo brought a warrant to Ponthip Hongchai, one of the seven accused to report to the police to acknowledge her charges on 11 December 2016. The seven accused could not do so because it was during a harvest season. They requested to postpone the date to 18 December 2016.
18 December 2016
The seven accused from Kon Rak Bankerd Group reported to the police and acknowledge the charges. Pol. Col. Suchin Nawareun, Wangsapung Police Station superintendent ordered to charge the seven for organizing a public assembly without notifying the competent official and jointly forcing member of Khao Luang LAO members gains their wills by using threats to life, body, liberty, reputation, or properties.
The seven villagers denied all charges and refused to pay a fine. They reasoned that they neither organized nor joined a public assembly. They observed a Local Administrative Council Meeting which affects their livelihood. The LAO president also invited them to participate in writing; thus, villagers argued that they did not involve in a public assembly as they were charged.
8 March 2017
The seven accused from Khon Rak Ban Kerd Group arrived at Loei Provincial Public Prosecutor Office after the police have finalized the inquiry and the case was transferred from the police to the public prosecutor. Then, the seven were scheduled to meet the public prosecutor for an indictment order on 30 March 2017
30 March 2017
The public prosecutor ordered the accused to hear indictment order on 25 July 2017.
Verdict
No information